A scuba diving instructor in Argentina has been charged with manslaughter in the death of a 23-year-old tourist who vanished during a dive in February. Thiago Nahuel Pocovi, 26, faces charges in connection with the death of Sofia Devries, who disappeared during a scuba diving certification course off Puerto Madryn.
Pocovi was reportedly leading a group of seven divers toward an underwater park when Devries began showing signs of distress. The incident occurred in an area known for poor visibility, and reports suggest Devries and her boyfriend were diving without immediate supervision. Devries' boyfriend attempted to assist her as she ascended and appeared to be in distress, but was unsuccessful in reaching the surface.
Other members of the diving group initiated a search but could not locate Devries. Her body was discovered two days later by specialized divers at a depth of approximately 82 feet.
Prosecutors allege that Pocovi violated safety protocols and regulations for professional diving instructors during the expedition. He attended a court hearing virtually and did not present a defense statement. A full investigation is underway to determine if a trial will proceed.
This incident occurred months after a separate tragedy in May, where five Italian scuba divers died while exploring a cave at a depth of 200 feet in the Maldives. Reports indicated that most of the divers lacked proper equipment for deep-water cave exploration, such as diving reels or guide ropes.