2014.02.18
Missing Naha diver, four others found alive in Indonesia
Five of the seven female divers that went missing Feb. 14 in Bali, Indonesia, were found alive on Monday, clinging to a reef some 15 miles from the spot where they had disappeared. Two of the group are still missing.
One in the group was identified as 33-year-old Emi Yamamoto, a diving shop instructor from Naha City, originally from Mie Prefecture.
According to Indonesian rescue authorities, 10 ships and helicopters were sent to look for the missing. On the fourth day, a fishing boat crew spotted five of the divers on a reef, but they were unable to pick them up because of rough seas. A helicopter sent to the scene picked up one of the five, 37-year-old Saori Furukawa, and dropped food and water to the rest of the group. The helicopter took Furukawa to a hospital, and later on Monday, the rest were finally picked up by a boat that took them to the closest beach.
They were taken to a local hospital where they were reported to be in a relatively good shape with only minor abrasions and sunburns.
The search for the two still missing members of the group continues.
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Larry Muse