Quezon lifts temporary diving ban following Russian divers’ tragic accident

The Quezon Provincial Tourism Office has lifted its advisory that temporarily halted diving activities in the province. The initial ban was imposed following the tragic deaths of two Russian divers in Batangas’ Verde Island, raising safety concerns among local authorities and diving operators.

On Saturday morning, the tourism office issued an advisory strictly prohibiting diving activities in Quezon after the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported the recent fatalities in Batangas waters. However, a subsequent letter from the PCG-Southern Tagalog clarified that the incident occurred outside Quezon’s jurisdiction and did not pose an immediate threat to diving operations in the province.

“Sa panibagong sulat mula sa Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) na pinahatid sa Quezon Provincial Tourism Office, ipinababatid na ang kanilang naunang sulat ukol sa pagpapatigil ng diving activities sa nasasakupan ng ating lalawigan ay kanilang binabawi/binabago,” the latest advisory read.

(In a new letter by the PCG to the Quezon Provincial Tourism Office, the agency has retracted its recommendation to stop diving in the province.)

Despite the lifting of the advisory, the provincial tourism office has urged divers and dive operators to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions, especially during adverse weather conditions. Authorities emphasize the importance of adhering to safety protocols and ensuring that all diving activities are conducted under professional supervision.

The advisory came after two Russian tourists, Ilya Perigudin, 29, and Maksim Melekhov, 39, perished during a diving excursion off Pulong Bato near Verde Island on 27 February. According to PCG-Batangas, the divers were swept away by strong underwater currents. One of the victims, Perigudin, was later found with both arms severed, reportedly attacked by sharks after losing consciousness due to the powerful currents.

The PCG continues its investigation into the incident to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the divers' deaths. Authorities have also called on the Department of Tourism to review existing policies regarding diving safety, particularly in areas known for strong underwater currents and potential wildlife hazards.