A fight at 18 meters deep, among the corals of the Maldives. Pushes, tugs and an attempt to tear the device that allows him to breathe underwater from a diver’s mouth. This is what was reported by Xiao Du, a Chinese instructor who was involved in a violent clash during a dive in the Indian Ocean. The scene was filmed by an underwater camera and the video, which went viral on social media, led to the suspension of a guide and the request for an investigation to ascertain responsibility.
The episode dates back to October 28, 2026 and occurred in Kuda Rah Thila, a particularly popular dive site in the South Ari Atoll, in the Maldives. According to what has been reconstructed, Xiao Du was in the water with a friend when he was approached by three other divers. The instructor, who was on holiday at the time and not working, said that the seabed was particularly crowded. A man approached him from below, suddenly pushing him. Shortly afterwards, as he was walking away, he hit him with a fin. Xiao Du would have reacted by trying to push her away with one hand.
At that point the situation would have degenerated. A second diver, identified by the instructor as a guide, allegedly grabbed him by the arm. In the video, the two men are seen tugging at each other while Xiao Du tries to push the other away with his fins. During the confrontation, one of the divers appears to reach out towards the instructor’s face.
It is the most dangerous moment of the whole affair. According to Xiao Du’s complaint, the man attempted to tear off his mask and the regulator, the device connected to the tank that allows you to breathe underwater. A potentially very serious gesture at that depth, where the loss of the regulator could cause an emergency situation.
The instructor claims to have managed to escape the attack thanks to his experience. Once he returned to the surface, he confronted the other divers, who were on another vessel. This discussion has also been resumed. “You came to me, you grabbed me. You tried to take away my regulator. You tried to kill me underwater, all three of you. Three people against me”, protested the instructor, accusing the men of deliberately endangering his life.
The Maldives Legend Fleet company confirmed the accident, which occurred during a dive which also involved a guide connected to another vessel, the Infinity On November 2, it also announced the suspension of one of its dive guides, pending investigations into allegations relating to his conduct.
Official Statement regarding the diving incident at Kuda Rah Thila on 28 October 2026. https://t.co/EB3nVENoAV
— Maldives Legend (@maldiveslegend) November 2, 2026
The National Boating Association of Maldives, the national association of nautical operators, also intervened in the matter, asking the police, the Ministry of Tourism and other competent authorities to conduct a complete, impartial and transparent investigation.