The National Boating Association of Maldives (NBAM) has called for an investigation after a Chinese dive instructor alleged that another diver – believed to be a liveaboard dive guide – tried to remove his regulator during an underwater confrontation.
The incident, which has been captured in a video posted to social media, took place on 28 October at Kuda Rah Thila in South Ari Atoll. At least one dive guide has been suspended following an initial investigation.
The instructor, who has been named as Xiao Du, was reportedly diving with a buddy as guests on board a liveaboard from the Maldives Legend fleet, when he alleges he was approached by three divers at a depth of around 18m.
‘The dive site wasn’t big, and there were lots of people, so it was a little crowded,’ Du told the Yangtse Evening News.
Du said a man suddenly approached from below and pushed him, making hand gestures while doing so. When the man turned to swim away, his fins struck Du, who pushed them aside.
According to Du’s account, a second man, whom he described as a dive guide, grabbed his arm. Du said he tried to kick his fins at the guide, but during the struggle the other diver reached towards his face and attempted to remove his mask and regulator.
A third diver subsequently approached and joined the confrontation. ‘They were all around me,’ Du said. ‘I could only exercise restraint.’
Du, who began diving in 2019, said he was able to escape due to his training as an instructor. He and his buddy challenged the other divers after surfacing, and are heard shouting at the men in the video: ‘That will kill me underwater, three of you! Three people against myself – that’s very rude!’
In a statement following the incident, the owners of the Maldives Legend fleet acknowledged an incident involving divers from one of its liveaboards and a guide from another liveaboard named Infinity X.
‘We are aware of a video circulating online concerning an incident that occurred on 28 October 2026 at the Kuda Rah Thila dive site between divers from one of our liveaboard vessels and a dive guide from Infinity X,’ it said.
‘We take this incident very seriously. Diving safety has always been our foremost priority, and we will continue to take every measure to ensure a safe and respectful diving environment at every dive site.
‘We have listened to our guests’ accounts of the incident and submitted the matter to the relevant authorities for investigation. As the matter is now being handled by the relevant authorities, we will not comment further on specific details.’
In an update posted on social media on 2 November, Ali Sujuaan Shafeeq, Maldives Legend Director of Sales and Marketing said that the company had suspended one of its own dive guides as a result of the incident.
10月28日马尔代夫，一位中国游客直接发视频曝光水下被霸凌。 潜水时对方故意冲撞、挡镜头，搞得人差点失控 https://t.co/0wyQOagBA2
— Mudso (@mud_so) October 30, 2026
‘Our management has conducted an internal review, including obtaining a written statement from the guest involved and gathering accounts from our dive professionals.
‘Based on the information available to us, the confrontation began with an incident involving a dive guide from another vessel and one of our guests, following which our dive team intervened.
‘We acknowledge that serious allegations have subsequently been raised regarding the conduct of our dive professional. These allegations, together with the full circumstances of the incident, require careful and impartial examination.
‘Maldives Legend maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy towards violence, physical aggression and any conduct that compromises the safety of divers, whether above or below the water.
‘In keeping with this policy and our commitment to the highest standards of safety and professional conduct, we have suspended the employment of the dive professional involved, pending the outcome of the investigations.’
In a statement published on 31 October, NBAM called on the Maldives Police Service, Ministry of Tourism and other authorities to conduct ‘a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation’, but urged those involved to refrain from premature conclusions and public accusations.
‘The National Boating Association of Maldives (NBAM) expresses its serious concern regarding the recent incident involving members of the diving teams associated with Maldives Legend Liveaboard and Infinity X, footage of which has circulated widely across social media and international platforms,’ it said.
‘NBAM considers the incident a serious matter that requires an impartial and thorough investigation. Any wrongdoing, misconduct or negligence by any party must be properly established and addressed in accordance with the laws of the Maldives.’
In addition to calling for a fair investigation, however, NBAM also cautioned against using the actions of individuals to portray the Maldives as an unsafe diving destination, while stressing that legitimate safety concerns should not be dismissed.
‘NBAM wishes to emphasise that the actions of individuals involved in an incident must not be used to discredit the entire Maldivian boating and diving industry or portray the Maldives as an unsafe diving destination,’ the statement reads.
‘The Association reiterates that accountability must be upheld, legitimate Maldivian businesses must be protected, applicable regulations must be enforced consistently and fairly, and the reputation and integrity of the Maldivian boating and tourism industry must be safeguarded.’
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