One of six missing divers found alive<\/p>\n
UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi (JP): An Indonesian diving guide
\nmissing for three days with five Japanese divers off Betang
\nIsland here was found alive yesterday, local police said.<\/p>\n
Capt. Sjamsu Ridjal of the Bulukumba Police precinct said
\nZubair Ali, 30, was found by villagers on Kambuna Island in a
\ncritical condition and rushed to a community health center in
\nnearby Sinjai.<\/p>\n
\"Meanwhile, the search for the five Japanese divers will
\ncontinue,\" Ridjal said.<\/p>\n
Zubair cannot be questioned about the incident or the events
\nleading up to it because of his condition.<\/p>\n
The five missing Japanese have been identified as Nobuhiko
\nMatsumoto, 53, Mifuyu Kagomiya, 22, Reikko Okubo, 50, Hiroyuki
\nIshijima, 47, and Michie Yamamoto, 39.<\/p>\n
The divers were reported missing Thursday afternoon when the
\ncaptain of their rented boat became concerned and alerted police
\nthat the divers had failed to return on schedule.<\/p>\n
Betang Island, in Bira Bay on the southern tip of South
\nSulawesi, is renowned for its diving and attracts divers
\nworldwide.<\/p>\n
According to Japan's junior consular general here, Takonai
\nSusumu, it was \"illogical\" that the group could go missing as
\nthey were all professional divers.<\/p>\n
The Japanese divers and Zubair were part of a group of 16
\npeople on a diving trip to the bay, which was led by Habib Nadjar
\nBuduha. There were three other Japanese among the group.<\/p>\n
Habib agreed that the Japanese and Zubair were all experienced
\ndivers.<\/p>\n
\"They were well-equipped with emergency equipment such as air
\nballoons and jackets which will bring them to surface in case of
\nan accident.\"<\/p>\n
He said the eight Japanese were actually here to photograph
\nthe bay for tourist promotion.<\/p>\n
\"They were not there to do research as some people have said.<\/p>\n
\"That was why (the Japanese) were accompanied by five other
\ndivers, a fisherman, and a bird-watcher, along with the reporter
\nof a Japanese-language media organization in Malaysia.\"<\/p>\n
Search and rescue workers comprising of the National Police,
\nNavy and Hasanuddin University's nature-lovers club continued the
\nsearch until late yesterday afternoon. (30\/37)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/one-of-six-missing-divers-found-alive-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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