Spanish navy diver dies on duty in Aceh

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: A Spanish naval diver died during a routine underwater operation to inspect the hull of his ship, which is helping relief efforts in Indonesia's tsunami-hit Aceh, his unit said on Wednesday.

Sgt. First Class Justo Jesus Picallo Martinez, 36, died on Tuesday while cleaning the underside of the ship Galicia, anchored off Aceh province, the Spanish Engineers unit said in a statement.

Martinez made a distress signal and sank after he and a fellow diver had completed their work. Doctors failed to revive him on board the Galicia.

An investigation has begun into the cause of death and an airplane was being sent to Sumatra island to repatriate his remains.

Spain is among more than 30 nations whose armed forces have been active in Aceh to help with relief and reconstruction efforts in the wake of the December 26 disaster that killed more than 126,000 people in Indonesia. -- AFP