An underwater altercation involving divers occurred at the Kuda Rah Thila dive site in the Maldives on October 28, 2026. Footage of the incident, which took place approximately 50 feet below the surface, shows a physical confrontation between divers, including one man attempting to remove another's mask.
Off-duty Chinese diving instructor Xiao Du, who was present during the incident, alleges that the dive site was overcrowded and that three divers approached him. According to Mr. Du, the confrontation began when one diver pushed him, and subsequent actions, including an attempt to grab his mouthpiece, escalated into a brawl. Video captured from a boat later shows Mr. Du confronting one of the divers involved.
Maldives Legend Fleet, the company Mr. Du was associated with, confirmed an incident involving divers from one of its liveaboard vessels and a dive guide from another vessel called Infinity X. The company stated it takes the incident seriously and has suspended one of its own dive guides as a result. They have submitted the matter to relevant authorities for investigation.
The National Boating Association of the Maldives (NBAM) also expressed serious concern and launched its own investigation. The NBAM has called upon the Maldives Police Service and the Ministry of Tourism to conduct a thorough inquiry. The association urged the public to avoid premature conclusions and social media speculation, emphasizing that any wrongdoing must be established and addressed according to Maldivian law.
The Maldives is a popular luxury holiday destination known for its diving sites, consisting of numerous coral islands spread across the Indian Ocean.