News

Skeletal Remains of Scuba Diver Found in Spain Identified

Published

11 years ago

September 21, 2013

Police have now officially confirmed the identity of the skeleton, wearing a neoprene scuba diving suit, found off the coast of Calpe in the Mediterranean sea in July 2013.

The gruesome discovery was made by the occupants of a yacht called “Yaiza”, just 40 miles off the coast of Calpe.

The skeleton was still wearing scuba diving gear and a backpack containing 540 euros in cash, a cellphone and a passport in the name of Abdelaziz Elfayafi, born on January 8, 1989 in Imzouren in the Rif region of Morocco.

As the body was so badly decomposed, it was at first impossible to confirm whether the diver was the owner of the passport found in the backpack.

Following a DNA test, the Civil Guard have now solved the mystery and have confirmed that the body did, in fact, belong to Abdelaziz, and his family have been contacted.

Farah Elfayafi, sister of the deceased, has also confirmed that the body belongs to Abdelaziz, or Abdel as he was known to his family and friends. He was buried on Sunday in the Berber village of Boukidan, where he had lived with his parents, Hafida and Hammadi.

The Moroccan consulate in Valencia paid for the transportation of the body from Spain to Tangier, and the transfer to his family’s village, where they buried him according to Muslim rites.

This is not the first tragedy to strike the family, as, at only 21-years-old, Farah has now buried two siblings, with another five remaining. The family’s first loss occurred in 2011, when their 27-year-old son Mohammed, a university professor, was found dead inside his apartment.

“He died of natural causes, because he had a heart condition,” explained Farah. And now in June 2013, it was the turn of brother Abdelaziz.

Farah said that Abdelaziz had degrees in both computer administration and accounting. He spoke four languages – Arabic, French, English and Dutch.

He was also involved in a course in humanities at Oujda University and loved travel, swimming, music and sports.

He had been performing clerical work at a couple of businesses, one owned by a relative, and was seeking employment in the months leading to his death.

Abdel’s mother was the last person to see him alive on May 27. Farah explained: “He left the house like any other day, and said he was going to Tangier.”

“A while later he called home and told her that he was at the port of that city because of a project,” she added.

Farah feels that Abdel may have been visiting Tangier as part of plans to start a business with his older brother Ahmed, who lives in Belgium. The two brothers were investigating the possibility of importing spare car parts to Morocco and Tangier would be the ideal port for delivery.

However, this does not explain why Abdelaziz jumped into the sea in a diver’s suit. Farah, who is now caring for her distraught mother says, “I think there is a secret behind my brother’s death.”

Speaking of her mother, she added, “She says that nothing matters to her anymore, but in time she will forget. Such is life.”

Some people had suggested that drugs were involved in the diving incident, but Farah rules this out, saying: “I know what it might look like, but he wasn’t like that.”

“He was an extraordinary guy, very good with computers, and shy – he didn’t talk much. He was looking for a job but did not need money, and he was a good diver. We all are, because we were born right by the beach.”

And while the Spanish Civil Guard initially thought that Abdel may have been an immigrant trying to reach Spain by sea, Farah disagrees.

Spanish police have concluded that the death is by natural causes.

“Spanish authorities gave us no information, they just said that since the body showed no signs of violence, they would not be investigating any further,” said Abdel’s brother Ahmed, who has decided to launch his own investigation into the mysterious death of his brother.

The Facebook account of Abdelaziz Elfayafi, showing a photo of him smiling, young and carefree, has now been cancelled. Until then, on the wall was a message from his sister Farah of only three words, “Where are you?”

Source: www.digitaljournal.com

News

Dive Worldwide Announces Bite-Back as its Charity of the Year

Published

18 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Team Scubaverse

Over the next 12 months, specialist scuba holiday company Dive Worldwide will be supporting Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation with donations collected from client bookings to any one of its stunning dive destinations around the world. The independently-owned operator expects to raise £3000 for the UK charity.

Manager at Dive Worldwide, Phil North, said: “We’re especially excited to work with Bite-Back and support its intelligent, creative and results-driven campaigns to end the UK trade in shark products and prompt a change in attitudes to the ocean’s most maligned inhabitant.”

Bite-Back is running campaigns to hold the media to account on the way it reports shark news along with a brand new nationwide education programme. Last year the charity was credited for spearheading a UK ban on the import and export of shark fins.

Campaign director at Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’re enormously grateful to Dive Worldwide for choosing to support Bite-Back. The company’s commitment to conservation helps set it apart from other tour operators and we’re certain its clients admire and respect that policy. For us, the affiliation is huge and helps us look to the future with confidence we can deliver against key conservation programmes.”

To launch the fundraising initiative, Phil North presented Graham Buckingham with a cheque for £1,000.

Visit Dive Worldwide to discover its diverse range of international scuba adventures and visit Bite-Back to learn more about the charity’s campaigns.

MORE INFORMATION

Call Graham Buckingham on 07810 454 266 or email graham@bite-back.com

Gear News

Scubapro Free Octopus Promotion 2024

Published

2 days ago

April 25, 2024

Team Scubaverse

Free Octopus with every purchase of a SCUBAPRO regulator system

Just in time for the spring season, divers can save money with the FREE OCTOPUS SPRING PROMOTION! Until July 31st SCUBAPRO offers an Octopus for free
with every purchase of a regulator system!

Get a free S270 OCTOPUS with purchase of these combinations:

MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with A700

MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with S620Ti

MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with D420

MK25 EVO Din mit S620Ti-X

Get a free R105 OCTOPUS with purchase of the following combinations:

MK25 EVO or MK19 EVO with G260

MK25 EVO or MK17 EVO with S600

SCUBAPRO offers a 30-year first owner warranty on all regulators, with a revision period of two years or 100 dives. All SCUBAPRO regulators are of course certified according to the new European test standard EN250-2014.

Available at participating SCUBAPRO dealers. Promotion may not be available in all regions. Find an authorized SCUBAPRO Dealer at scubapro.com.

More information available on www.scubapro.com.

Scuba Travel – Bella Eriny – Saturday Departure 4th May save £200!

Expires on:

Experience the Red Sea in May with Bella Eriny Liveaboard! As the weather warms up, there’s no better time to dive into the crystal clear waters of the Red Sea. Join us on Bella Eriny, your premier choice for Red Sea liveaboards, this May for an unforgettable underwater adventure. Explore vibrant marine life and stunning coral reefs Enjoy comfortable accommodation in our spacious cabins Savor delicious meals prepared by our onboard chef Benefit from the expertise of our professional dive guides Visit our website for more information and to secure your spot: www.scubatravel.com/BellaEriny or call 01483 411590 More Less

Save £200