Diver dies during operations at Australis Mar salmon farming site near Puerto Cisnes.
A diver has died while carrying out underwater tasks at a salmon farming site operated by Australis Mar S.A., near Puerto Cisnes, Chile. The incident occurred on the morning of Monday, 21 July, and is under investigation by the Maritime Police and Carabineros’ investigative unit (SIP).
According to information from the Puerto Cisnes Harbour Master’s Office, the Chilean Navy received an emergency call at 11:00 a.m. reporting an accident during diving operations at the “Canalad” grow-out site. The worker, identified by the initials C.B.A., was found unconscious in the water by fellow divers on site.
A patrol vessel was dispatched with medical personnel from the Puerto Cisnes hospital, but the diver was declared dead at the scene despite attempted resuscitation efforts.
Subofficer Claudio Medina of the Chilean Navy stated that weather and sea conditions at the time of the dive were normal. He expressed condolences to the diver’s family on behalf of the Navy.
The case has been referred to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, which has instructed the Maritime Police and SIP officers to conduct investigations to determine the cause of death and assess whether third-party involvement can be ruled out.
This is the latest in a series of workplace fatalities to occur at salmon farming sites along the Aysén coastline, where worker safety remains a topic of concern.
