MANILA, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Two foreigners died while scuba diving in the waters off Verde Island in Batangas province, south of Manila, on Thursday, local authorities and media said.
A staff of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) station in Batangas City, who declined to be named, confirmed to Xinhua that the victims were part of the seven tourists who went scuba diving on Thursday afternoon near the island, one of famous dive sites in the Philippines due to its rich marine biodiversity.
A local media outlet quoted PCG Batangas Coast Guard Station Commander Captain Airland Lapitan as saying that rescuers took the first victim to the hospital, but he was declared dead on arrival. The other one's body was also found by rescuers later.
Initial investigation showed that a strong current generated a wave force while the international tourists were scuba diving, causing the two victims to separate from the group.
The PCG said officials are still investigating the accident.
