One drowned, two hurt in snorkeling accidents

According to Okinawa Coast Guard reports, there were three snorkeling accidents at Okinawa beaches on Sunday.

71-year-old Akira Sato from Kanagawa prefecture drowned while snorkeling Sunday afternoon off a beach in Ueno, Miyakojima City.

According to witnesses, Sato was swimming in 50 to 60 cm deep water with a snorkel when, for an unknown reason, he fell unconscious, and was found floating face up on the water by his family. He was transferred to a hospital, where he was confirmed dead.

A rip current dragged a 53-year-old man from Kanagawa prefecture off the shore of Seragaki Beach in Onna Village Sunday morning.

According to Naha Maritime Safety Agency, the man arrived at the site by a boat of a diving shop, and was snorkeling when he was caught in the current. He was transferred to a hospital where he remains unconscious.

A 64-year-old woman from Gifu Prefecture became out of breath for some reason while snorkeling off a beach on Tokashiki Island about 13:30 on Sunday.

She was transferred to a hospital by a helicopter. According to Naha Maritime Safety Agency, the woman remains in the hospital but is conscious and can breathe by herself.