Search teams looking for a missing commercial diver in Chile have recovered equipment with marks that may have been caused by sharks. Carlos Aquea Álvarez, 46, disappeared after heading out for a routine dive at Caleta Chañaral last Saturday.
Equipment found with unusual marks
His wife reported him missing to police in Coquimbo several hours later after he failed to contact her. A search operation was mounted, with crews on land, sea and air hunting for traces of Carlos on Sunday.
Since then, teams have found several items believed to belong to Carlos. A white Nissan Terrano pickup truck was found on land, while fins and a harpoon were retrieved from the sea.
Experts weigh in on the marks
Dr Cristián Araya-Jaime of the University of La Serena told local media: “There is some evidence in the equipment found that may be linked to the fisherman, particularly the fins, which have some very unusual marks. Unfortunately, they could suggest that he was involved in an incident with sharks.”
There are more than 100 species of sharks, rays and chimaeras in Chilean waters. Dr Neiti Morales, a researcher at the Centre for Ecology and Sustainable Management of Oceanic Islands and the Fisheries Development Institute, is more cautious.
She said: “Sharks have teeth packed closely together, almost side by side, so I’d expect to see a more continuous line of marks. And, of course, sharks don’t have arms, so they bite with their heads. Usually, they tear a chunk out.”
Search continues
Capt. Cristián González of the Maritime Authority said: “As for the cause, we’re not ruling out any possibility.”
Carlos, a civil construction engineer from the Coquimbo region, also works as a commercial diver and has nearly 30 years’ diving experience. He began diving as a child and was given his first mask and snorkel by his parents aged seven. A keen spearfisher, he became Chilean national champion in 2024 before going on to win the Pan-American title. He and his wife have young children.
