A 26-year-old scuba diving instructor is now facing manslaughter charges following the tragic death of a 23-year-old tourist who vanished underwater during a certification dive in Argentina earlier this year.
The incident took place on February 16 off the coast of Puerto Madryn, a popular diving destination in southern Argentina. Thiago Nahuel Pocovi was leading a group of seven divers, including Sofia Devries and her boyfriend, to an underwater park near the Hu Shun Yu 809 shipwreck when things took a devastating turn.
According to local outlet Todo Noticias, Devries, a social media enthusiast who often shared travel and beauty content online, reportedly began showing signs of distress during the dive. Witnesses say she struggled to remove her breathing regulator as she ascended, and her boyfriend tried to help her reach the surface but could not.
Prosecutor Alex Williams told Radio Rafaela that Devries suffered a medical emergency while ascending. Other divers in the group launched a frantic search but failed to locate her. Her body was eventually found two days later at a depth of roughly 82 feet by a specialized dive team.
Prosecutors allege that Pocovi violated safety protocols and professional diving regulations during the expedition. The instructor appeared virtually in court but did not offer a defense statement, according to reports. A full investigation is now underway to determine if the case will go to trial.
This tragedy comes just months after five Italian scuba divers lost their lives 200 feet below the surface in a cave diving accident in the Maldives. That group reportedly lacked proper equipment like guide ropes and reels.
What went wrong on that dive, and could stricter safety measures have prevented this heartbreaking loss?
