MANILA, Philippines – Two Russian nationals died while scuba diving off Verde Island in Batangas after they were swept away by a strong current on Thursday, with one of them found missing his right arm in what authorities suspect to be a shark attack, the Philippine Coast Guard said Friday.

Captain Airland Lapitan, commander of the Coast Guard Station Batangas, said four Russian divers left Puerto Galera to conduct a dive in Verde Island when they encountered powerful underwater currents. 

Two of them managed to escape, while the other two were reported missing, Lapitan said.

One of the missing divers was later rescued and rushed to a hospital in Batangas City, but he was declared dead on arrival.

A search and rescue operation led by RBCA De Luna located the last missing diver at around 5:50 p.m. 

He was found unconscious and missing his right arm, according to the incident report.

“According to the CGSS Isla Verde, the incident could allegedly be a result of a shark attack due to the presence of sharks in the vicinity waters,” the PCG said in a statement.

Authorities transported the body to Puerto Galera on board RBCA D’ Ocean Riders, where it was received by the victim’s bereaved family. By 10:24 p.m., the remains were taken to a funeral home for proper disposition, it said.