A diver is missing after disappearing on an ice dive in Antarctica. The French Polar Institute announced in a post on Facebook that the diver is missing.
They disappeared "during an ice dive in Adélie Land." None of the diver's colleagues has seen them since. After the disappearance, the organization instituted its safety protocols. It has also began searching for the missing diver. "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."
In a statement to ABC, the French Polar institute also said the diver disappeared during a "routine operation." They were trying "to check a scientific instrument" during the operation. However, something happened during the dive, and now they're missing. The Australian Antarctic Division stepped in to help search for the missing diver.
Diver Missing After Going On Ice Dive
"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.
Several people responded to the news with sadness.
One person wrote, "This announcement saddens me and I'm wholeheartedly with the winter polar polars and summer campers present at DDU and Prud'hommes. Courage to all and huge thoughts to his family. The Polar family is in mourning and solidarity."
Another commented, "No words to express the astonishment and sorrow.. The enchantment of the Antarctica, for those who love it, these are the dangers it represents. But reality comes back even more cruel. I join her family's pain. I'm also thinking very strongly about those on the station: that it must be hard! And I think about the IPEV with which I have unfortunately already gone through such a ordeal. The polar world mourns one of its own and it still hurts just as much."
