NEED TO KNOW
- The French Polar Institute shared that one of their divers went missing during a “routine” ice dive in Antarctica
- The unidentified person has been missing for two days as search and rescue efforts continue
- Multiple teams from France and Australia have been searching for the diver
A diver in Antarctica has been reported missing.
On Tuesday, Jan. 13, the French Polar Institute announced in a post on Facebook that the individual went missing “during an ice dive in Adélie Land.”
“The safety protocol for diving operations had been implemented, and search operations were launched immediately,” they wrote. “An investigation will be conducted to determine the circumstances of this disappearance.”
The institute added, “The French Polar Institute and the French Southern and Antarctic Lands extend their deepest condolences to the family of the missing diver, his loved ones, and all the teams mobilized on site.”
Adélie Land borders the Australian Antarctic Territory on both sides, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).
The region is also claimed territory of France, the outlet reported.
PEOPLE has contacted the French Polar Institute and the Australian Antarctic Division for further comment.
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In a statement to ABC, the French Polar institute said the diver went missing during a “routine” operation “to check a scientific instrument.”
The Australian Antarctic Division are set to assist in the search for the missing diver.
“The French Antarctic Program, the French Polar Institute, has asked for assistance from other Antarctic programs following the disappearance of a diver in Adélie Land yesterday,” a spokesman said in a statement to news.com.au.
“The Australian Antarctic Division is investigating all the options available to support the search effort,” they added.
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This news comes after PEOPLE reported that the body of a cave diver had been found a day after he went missing in Tantanoola, Australia, in December.
On Dec. 1, the South Australia Police revealed in a release that they had recovered remains of the 65-year-old man, who multiple outlets identified as Gary Gibson, per The Daily Telegraph, 7News and ABC.
Read the full article here
