Diving Instructor Tangles With Three Divers Underwater
An off-duty Chinese diving instructor was involved in a physical altercation at 15 metres at a Maldives dive site, and the incident is under investigation.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Aquariums
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Xiao Du, an off-duty Chinese diving instructor, was involved in an underwater altercation with three divers at the Kuda Rah Thila dive site in the Maldives last week. Video of the incident, filmed from a boat on the surface, shows the confrontation at a depth of 15 metres.
Why it matters
The incident highlights tensions that can arise at crowded dive sites, where divers share limited space underwater. Xiao Du attributed the confrontation partly to overcrowding at the site, and the matter has been referred to authorities for investigation.
The altercation occurred at a depth of 15 metres at Kuda Rah Thila, involving Xiao Du and three other men, and was captured on video from a surface boat. The reported details come from video footage and the diver's own account, and the investigation has not yet produced findings.
The players
Maldives Legend Fleet
A Maldives dive operator that submitted the matter to the relevant authorities for investigation after the incident.
National Boating Association of the Maldives
The national body that is investigating the Kuda Rah Thila incident involving the divers.
The details
Xiao Du was exploring the dive site with a friend when a man swam up from below, pushed him, and made hand gestures. A second diver grabbed his arm and tried to remove his mask and regulator, and a third man then joined the altercation. Xiao Du said his fins struck a diver as he turned to swim away, and he pushed them aside.
Timeline
Last week: the underwater altercation occurred at the Kuda Rah Thila dive site.
Industry Context
Popular Maldives dive sites such as Kuda Rah Thila draw many visiting divers, and crowding at these locations is the factor Xiao Du cited in the altercation. The episode illustrates how shared underwater space can become a source of conflict when many divers occupy the same site.
Divers visiting popular sites may find them crowded, so arriving early or choosing less busy dive times can reduce the chance of close-quarters conflict. Following site etiquette and maintaining buoyancy control helps protect both yourself and others underwater.
The takeaway
Shared dive sites depend on divers keeping clear space and control underwater. Awareness of others around you is one of the simplest ways to prevent confrontations like this one.
Further reading
For more on the aquatic world and diving culture, see Aquariums.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Perth Now.
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