[UPDATED] Missing foreign divers: Norwegian diving instructor found safe by authorities

KUALA LUMPUR – Authorities have rescued the first of four European divers who went missing off the coast of Mersing, Johor, following an incident yesterday afternoon.

A tweet by Bernama Radio reported Norwegian Kristen Grodem, 35, was found safe and alive by rescuers around 12.05pm today, before she was airlifted to the Mersing Stadium by helicopter.

“The victim, who is also a diving instructor, was sent to Mersing Hospital to receive further treatment,” read the tweet.

This after the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency kicked off search and rescue operations after being alerted of the divers’ disappearance in the 2.35pm incident yesterday.

The divers were earlier identified as Grodem, Alexia Alexandra, 18, from France; Adrian Peter, 46, from the United Kingdom; and his 14-year-old son, Nathen Renze, from the Netherlands.

The search and rescue (SAR) operation will continue if weather permits.

In the incident at noon yesterday, the four foreign divers were reported missing in the waters of Pulau Tokong Sanggol, about nine nautical miles from Tg Leman, here.

Following which, an SAR operation was mounted, but was halted at 7.30pm yesterday due to poor visibility and resumed at 7am today, involving a total of 90 members and officers from various agencies, including 30 divers and 18 assets. – The Vibes, April 7, 2022