From the Associated Press April 8, 2022, 11:46 • 2 minutes reading Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Email this article KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – An airplane, fishermen and jet skiers took part in an extensive search that entered a third day on Friday of three Europeans, including two teenagers, who went missing while diving off an island in southern Malaysia. Authorities hoped to find them after rescuing Norwegian diving instructor Christine Grondem on Thursday. He said the four of them came to the surface safely on Wednesday afternoon, but were later removed from the boat and separated by a strong current. The team dived about 15 meters (50 feet) deep on an island outside the city of Mersing in the southern state of Johor. Grodem, 35, was rescued from a tug about 22 nautical miles (40 kilometers) from the dive site. The missing divers are Alexia Alexandra Molina, 18, from France. Adrian Peter Chesters, 46, from the UK. and his Dutch son, Nathen Renze Chesters, 14. Authorities have developed a Bombardier aircraft that can fly more and cover more area in an extensive investigation, said First Admiral Nurul Hizam Zakaria, Johor director of the Malaysian Maritime Service. The plane included three helicopters, 11 boats and about 100 people, including rescue divers. Zakaria said members of the public have also supported, with fishermen and 10 jet skis helping the sea hairstyle. The weather was reported to be good. “It’s been three days since they disappeared, but we will not give up. “We hope that everyone will be saved,” said Zakaria. The search was stopped on Friday night and will continue early Saturday. Shipping officials said Grodem was training the other three, who were trying to obtain advanced diving licenses. The family of French teenager Molina, who lives in Johor, has since sought support from private boat owners to take part in the investigation. Esther Molina, 57, said she was optimistic that her daughter, who loves the sea, was still alive. “My daughter is strong, she is smart. “So now we can only wait for the developments,” Ester was quoted as saying by the national news agency Bernama. He said Alexia was going to attend a fashion college in Kuala Lumpur next month. The master of the boat has been arrested for further investigation and diving activities off Mersing have been suspended. There are many islands outside the city that are popular diving spots for locals and tourists alike. Malaysia’s borders reopened to foreigners on April 1 after being closed for more than two years during the COVID-19 pandemic.
