Holiday group loses two

The group of 12 had travelled to Safaga in the country’s south and were diving with Orca Dive Club, which operates from the shore and dayboats.

The centre is known for its ability to cater for experienced divers requiring mixed gases and other technical diving facilities.

First, on 16 January, Robert Fox, 44, did not surface from a dive on Safaga's El Tur/El Arish wreck.

Fellow divers reported that Fox, a PADI Divemaster, had drifted away and disappeared from the wreck's bow area after trying to help his buddy, who had buoyancy problems.

Four days later, guides from the dive centre recovered Fox's body from near the wreck, in 35m of water. His equipment has been sent for testing.

The following day, 21 January, David Allseybrook, 43, died after getting into difficulty during his ascent from the wreck of the Chrisoula K, in the Abu Nuhas area.

Allseybrook, who was using his own Buddy Inspiration Classic closed-circuit rebreather, was reported to have been under water for 45 minutes before losing consciousness at a depth of 10m, while in the company of other divers.

Resuscitation attempts started in the water and continued on the dive boat, but Allseybrook did not regain consciousness, and was later pronounced dead.

His equipment has been sent to a tester approved by its manufacturer.

Egypt's Chamber of Diving and Watersports is investigating the incidents, in co-operation with the police and district attorney.

Zeyad M ElBassel, CDWS Managing Director, has said that the organisation is "doing all it can to find out what happened".

It regards the fatalities as "unrelated accidents".

Related links
Incidents report published
Fatal accident occurred in moderate conditions