Moment divers brawl 50ft down at overcrowded Maldives reef with one trying to pull off Chinese instructor's mouthpiece

Published: 04:10 EDT, 5 November 2026 | Updated: 04:24 EDT, 5 November 2026 Two Maldives divers were caught in an underwater brawl 50ft beneath the surface, with one man captured on camera trying to take the other's mask off. Off-duty Chinese diving instructor Xiao Du was diving with his friend when he alleges three divers approached him. Explaining that the dive site was overcrowded, Mr Du told local media that a man suddenly swam to him from below and pushed him.When the man tried to swim away, his fins struck Mr Du, who tried to push them aside. The exchange, Mr Du says, sparked a heated underwater brawl. Footage shows a second man, who Mr Du said is a local dive guide, grabbing his arm. As Mr Du tries to kick his fins at the guide, the other diver appears to reach towards his face.Mr Du later told local media he escaped and challenged the divers when he got to the surface. Video later taken on a boat shows the Chinese diving instructor shouting at a man onboard a separate vessel, saying: 'You guys came to me, grab me.'You try to grab my mouthpiece. You try to kill me underwater, the three of you! Three people against myself - that's very rude!' Footage shows one of the divers reaching towards diving instructor Xiao Du's face The National Boating Association of the Maldives said it is investigating the incidentMeanwhile, the Maldives Legend Fleet, the diving company Mr Du and his friend were with, acknowledged an incident involving divers from one of its liveboards and a guide from another liveboard called 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,' 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.'Maldives Legend Fleet director of Sales and Marketing confirmed that his company had suspended one of its own dive guides as a result of the incident that unfolded underwater. '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,' he said. Divers were seen in the video interveningThe National Boating Association of the Maldives said it is investigating the incident, writing in a statement: '(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.'It added that it had called on the Maldives Police Service, Ministry of Tourism and other authorities to conduct an investigation, but urged the public to refrain from premature conclusions and allegations made on social media. The Maldives, a nation of 1,192 tiny coral islands scattered some 500 miles across the equator in the Indian Ocean, is a luxury holiday destination popular with divers, who often stay at secluded resorts or on dive boats.