3 Italians, Belgian scuba divers disappear in Indonesia

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Three Italians and one Belgian scuba divers have gone missing in Indonesia after diving off Sangalaki Island and their anxious families have raised money to buy information about the foreigners.

The four divers – Alberto Mastrogiuseppe, Michela Caresani , Daniele Buresta and Vana Chris Vanpuyvelde, all in their thirties and licensed expert divers – have been reported missing since August 15.

Indonesian authorities have launched a massive search involving at least two dozen boats and helicopters, but failed to find the divers, not even their scuba gears.

It was not immediately known whether Jakarta has sought assistance from the neighboring Philippines to look out for the missing divers.

Francesca Caresani, the sister of Michela, said they have raised $20,000 as reward for useful information about the missing divers.

“The absolute lack of any proof, in a clear part of sea, very popular among tourists and plenty of islands and atolls, makes us believe that they could still be alive somewhere. For these reasons, families are continuing the search, asking everybody’s collaboration and a $20,000 reward is now available for who will help to find them,” Caresani said in a statement sent to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.

She said anyone who has useful information may contact Valeria Baffé at +393335897477 or Claudia Mastrogiuseppe on this number +393482618701.

Caresani also shared a Facebook link for other information about the missing divers which can be accessed on this URL: https://www.facebook.com/helpustofindalberto?fref=ts. (Mindanao Examiner)

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