The world-famous Christ of the Abyss statue has once again undergone its annual underwater cleaning in the crystal-clear waters of San Fruttuoso, Liguria, Italy. Resting nearly 17 meters beneath the Mediterranean Sea, the 2.5-meter bronze sculpture is one of the world's most iconic underwater landmarks and a favorite destination for divers from across the globe. Created to honor those who lost their lives at sea, including soldiers who died during World War II, the statue symbolizes peace, remembrance, and hope. Every year, professional divers carefully remove algae, marine growth, and deposits to preserve the historic monument and ensure it remains a breathtaking attraction beneath the waves.

Christ of the Abyss statue receives annual underwater cleaning in Italy Iconic Sea Memorial

In a unique celebration of India’s victory in the T20 World Cup, a scuba diver from Chennai, showcased his passion for diving and cricket by playing an impromptu cricket match at a depth of 50 feet beneath the waves of ECR Beach. Watch in for more details!

Scuba Diver plays underwater cricket at Chennai beach

On the beaches of Thailand's tourist island of Phuket divers are removing abundant fishing gear made from plastic that is Tangled on Coral Reef. These discarded fishing equipment known as ghost gear is increasingly threatening the Marine ecosystem. Watch in for more details!

Thailand scuba divers clean 'ghost gear' from Oceans

Thailand scuba divers clean plastic fishing gears from Oceans

Two youngsters, each aged 18, a businessman, a senior citizen and a fisherman led by acclaimed scuba diving instructor SB Aravind Tharunsri&nbsp;submerged themselves into the depths of the sea off the coast of Chennai. Why? The world's biggest democracy is in the middle of a heated election summer with about 97 million eligible voters set to seal their electoral verdict inside Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) starting April 19.&nbsp;

The six divers went nearly sixty feet underwater in Neelankarai in Chennai to promote voter awareness ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

The divers took with them a mock Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) and placards showing messages related to the importance of casting their vote

Speaking to WION,&nbsp;SB Aravind Tharunsri&nbsp;director of Puducherry-based Temple Adventure, said, "The idea behind doing all this 60 feet deep into the sea was to put out that even if you want to cast your vote on the NOTA, come to the polling booth and do that. But you have to come to the polling booth."

Indian voters cast their vote through Electronic Voting Machines. The voters press the key in front of their chosen candidate, and the one with the most number of votes is declared the winner. None of the Above, abbreviated as NOTA, has been provided as an option to the voters in elections since 2013. The voters have the option to press NOTA in case they do not wish to vote for any of the candidates.

A video capturing the campaign shows one of the divers talking about the importance of voting. "We organised a voter awareness programme to show that casting a vote is our duty and right."&nbsp;

Also watch |&nbsp;India elections: Meet the richest candidates

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Tharunsri's innovative approach aimed to engage citizens in an impactful manner, and netizens have showered praise on the initiative on social media.

The Lok Sabha elections, scheduled to be held in seven phases from April 19 to June 1, will see voters across the country exercise their democratic rights. With nearly 970 million eligible voters, this will be the world's largest election exercise.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/web-stories/india-news/business-economy/6-side-effects-of-ginger-that-are-dangerous-1708942941735">Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Seating Pretty With Opposition?</a>

With initiatives like the underwater voter awareness campaign, individuals and organisations are striving to ensure maximum participation in the electoral process.

Two youngsters, each aged 18, a businessman, a senior citizen and a fisherman led by acclaimed scuba diving instructor SB Aravind Tharunsri submerged themselves into the depths of the sea off the coast of Chennai.

Two youngsters, each aged 18, a businessman, a senior citizen and a fisherman led by acclaimed scuba diving instructor SB Aravind Tharunsri submerged themselves into the depths of the sea off the coast of Chennai. Why? The world's biggest democracy is in the middle of a heated election summer with about 97 million eligible voters set to seal their electoral verdict inside Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) starting April 19. The six divers went nearly sixty feet underwater in Neelankarai in Chennai to promote voter awareness ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The divers took with them a mock Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) and placards showing messages related to the importance of casting their vote Speaking to WION, SB Aravind Tharunsri director of Puducherry-based Temple Adventure, said, "The idea behind doing all this 60 feet deep into the sea was to put out that even if you want to cast your vote on the NOTA, come to the polling booth and do that. But you have to come to the polling booth." Indian voters cast their vote through Electronic Voting Machines. The voters press the key in front of their chosen candidate, and the one with the most number of votes is declared the winner. None of the Above, abbreviated as NOTA, has been provided as an option to the voters in elections since 2013. The voters have the option to press NOTA in case they do not wish to vote for any of the candidates. A video capturing the campaign shows one of the divers talking about the importance of voting. "We organised a voter awareness programme to show that casting a vote is our duty and right." Also watch | India elections: Meet the richest candidates × Tharunsri's innovative approach aimed to engage citizens in an impactful manner, and netizens have showered praise on the initiative on social media. The Lok Sabha elections, scheduled to be held in seven phases from April 19 to June 1, will see voters across the country exercise their democratic rights. With nearly 970 million eligible voters, this will be the world's largest election exercise. Also read | Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Seating Pretty With Opposition? With initiatives like the underwater voter awareness campaign, individuals and organisations are striving to ensure maximum participation in the electoral process.

Indian divers take voting awareness campaign to the depths of sea

Youngsters from deep rural South Africa who have never dipped a toe in a swimming pool are now being trained as qualified Scuba Divers. WION tells you more.

South Africa: Joint public-private initiative to help youth through Scuba Diving

The captain of a scuba diving boat that caught fire last year off the coast of California, leaving 34 people dead, was charged Tuesday with manslaughter, one count for each victim.

The blaze -- the worst maritime disaster in modern California history -- broke out while all six crew members and 33 passengers were asleep.

A federal jury said that Jerry Nehl Boylan, captain of the Conception, "was responsible for the safety and security of the vessel, its crew, and its passengers."

He was charged with 34 counts of manslaughter due to "his misconduct, negligence, and inattention to his duties," according to a statement from the central California prosecutor's office.

In the statement, Boylan is criticised for failing to have a night watchman, as required by federal law, and for not organising the training and evacuation drills necessary to respond to possible fires.

When the fire broke out on the night of September 2, five crew members tried to reach the 33 passengers and one crew member sleeping in the lower deck but jumped overboard after they were unable to open a forward window and were overwhelmed by smoke.

The fire was so intense that firefighters were unable to board the 75-foot (22 meter) vessel, which sank as they tried to extinguish the blaze.&nbsp;

The boat had been on a three-day diving excursion around the Channel Islands, off the coast of Santa Barbara in southern California.

The blaze broke out on the last day of the trip, as the boat was anchored off Santa Cruz Island.

Boylan was charged under a relatively uncommon criminal provision specific to seamen and people in related fields that opens the category to prosecution for negligence resulting in death.

If convicted, Boylan faces a 10-year prison sentence per charge of manslaughter.

The captain of a scuba diving boat that caught fire last year off the coast of California, leaving 34 people dead, was charged Tuesday with manslaughter, one count for each victim.

The captain of a scuba diving boat that caught fire last year off the coast of California, leaving 34 people dead, was charged Tuesday with manslaughter, one count for each victim. The blaze -- the worst maritime disaster in modern California history -- broke out while all six crew members and 33 passengers were asleep. A federal jury said that Jerry Nehl Boylan, captain of the Conception, "was responsible for the safety and security of the vessel, its crew, and its passengers." He was charged with 34 counts of manslaughter due to "his misconduct, negligence, and inattention to his duties," according to a statement from the central California prosecutor's office. In the statement, Boylan is criticised for failing to have a night watchman, as required by federal law, and for not organising the training and evacuation drills necessary to respond to possible fires. When the fire broke out on the night of September 2, five crew members tried to reach the 33 passengers and one crew member sleeping in the lower deck but jumped overboard after they were unable to open a forward window and were overwhelmed by smoke. The fire was so intense that firefighters were unable to board the 75-foot (22 meter) vessel, which sank as they tried to extinguish the blaze. The boat had been on a three-day diving excursion around the Channel Islands, off the coast of Santa Barbara in southern California. The blaze broke out on the last day of the trip, as the boat was anchored off Santa Cruz Island. Boylan was charged under a relatively uncommon criminal provision specific to seamen and people in related fields that opens the category to prosecution for negligence resulting in death. If convicted, Boylan faces a 10-year prison sentence per charge of manslaughter.

Captain of California scuba diving boat charged with 34 counts of manslaughter

In the 59th edition of his monthly radio address 'Mann ki Baat' on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined the issue of plastic waste flooding the water bodies and narrated an example of how a large amount of such waste was cleaned by a group of motivated scuba divers.

He also stated that a plastic-free India could be an example for the whole world.

"I was reading a story about a group of scuba divers in Vishakhapatnam, who were returning towards the seashore on Mangamaripeta beach when they encountered several plastic bottles and pouches in the water," he said.

He stated that after considering the situation as very serious, the group of divers started an initiative to clean out the garbage from the water bodies.

"In around two weeks, they took out nearly 4000 kg of plastic waste from the water," he said.

The Prime Minister further added that this small initiative was slowly becoming a large movement, which has already garnered the support of the local people and fishermen.

He also urged the citizens to take inspiration from the group of scuba divers and start getting rid of plastic waste from their surroundings.

"If we resolve to eliminate plastic waste from our own surroundings, a plastic-free India will be possible, that can set an example before the entire world," he added.

In the 59th edition of his monthly radio address 'Mann ki Baat' on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined the issue of plastic waste flooding the water bodies and narrated an example of how a large amount of such waste was cleaned by a group of motivated scuba divers.

In the 59th edition of his monthly radio address 'Mann ki Baat' on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi outlined the issue of plastic waste flooding the water bodies and narrated an example of how a large amount of such waste was cleaned by a group of motivated scuba divers. He also stated that a plastic-free India could be an example for the whole world. "I was reading a story about a group of scuba divers in Vishakhapatnam, who were returning towards the seashore on Mangamaripeta beach when they encountered several plastic bottles and pouches in the water," he said. He stated that after considering the situation as very serious, the group of divers started an initiative to clean out the garbage from the water bodies. "In around two weeks, they took out nearly 4000 kg of plastic waste from the water," he said. The Prime Minister further added that this small initiative was slowly becoming a large movement, which has already garnered the support of the local people and fishermen. He also urged the citizens to take inspiration from the group of scuba divers and start getting rid of plastic waste from their surroundings. "If we resolve to eliminate plastic waste from our own surroundings, a plastic-free India will be possible, that can set an example before the entire world," he added.

PM Modi lauds scuba divers for cleaning plastic waste from deep sea

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