Russian tourist vanishes after diving with her husband in Egypt

A Russian tourist has vanished in Egypt after diving ‘too deep’ to 400ft with her husband as they explored underwater caves. Kristina Osipova (pictured left), 44, didn’t resurface after plunging below internationally allowed depths with her husband Yuri Osipov (pictured right), 41. Mr Osipov surfaced unconscious after aborting his dive because he felt uncomfortable, but his wife continued to go deeper as they explored spectacular underwater caves, according to reports. A search is underway for Mrs Osipova, who has four children aged between five and 24. The search continues for a fourth day after she was lost on a ten-day cruise in the Red Sea.

Russian Consulate General diplomat Alexei Zhilyaev said: ‘After the husband’s ascent, the computer showed a maximum depth of 122 metres [400ft], that is, this is the depth at which they were and both lost consciousness. ‘When her husband surfaced and regained consciousness, his wife was not around.’ The search area has been expanded but there is little hope of finding her alive, say rescuers. Her frantic husband has been taking part in the searches. Rescue ship commander Mustafa Nabil told REN TV her body may not be found if carried away by a strong undercurrent. They had been in a tourist group of nine diving to caves at a depth of 120ft off Giftun Island, south of resort Hurghada.

The couple reportedly then dived deeper ‘without any special equipment’. ‘Her husband said he began to lose consciousness, what we call nitrogen narcosis, which makes divers feel intoxicated while diving,’ said Nabil. But the man managed to swim out, and the woman remained in the water. ‘We are still searching for the missing person, we have also informed all ships in the area that if anyone sees the body of a missing diver on the surface to contact law enforcement.’

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