Investigation under way after diver dies at Chilean salmon farm
A diver died last Friday while working at a salmon farm located in Melinka, Guaitecas commune, in the Aysén Region of Chile, reports Fish Farming Expert’s Chilean sister site, Salmonexpert.cl.
Preliminary reports indicate that the incident occurred around 2pm, when the diver was carrying out underwater work at the location.
The team that was supporting the diver’s work detected his absence after several minutes without returning to the surface, immediately activating the emergency protocol.
After conducting search operations, the diver - identified as Víctor Mauricio Guerrero Barría - was found and brought to the surface. Despite resuscitation efforts, he was pronounced dead while being transported to the Melinka Health Post.
Prosecutor will investigate
The Chilean Navy and the Public Prosecutor's Office are investigating the tragedy.
“The body will be transferred from Melinka to Cisnes tomorrow by the Navy for the required autopsy. The Carabineros’ Investigative Police (SIP) will also carry out the initial investigations to rule out the involvement of third parties in the incident,” the Public Prosecutor's Office stated on Radio Revelación.
The Prosecutor’s Office added that “the diver was at a fish farm where he experienced medical problems”.
The Melinka Port Authority has registered all the witnesses present and gathered as much background information as possible related to the accident, fulfilling the first steps of the Summary Maritime Administrative Investigation.
