Diver dies while removing dead fish at Chilean salmon farm

Authorities in Chile have started an investigation into the death of a diver working at a salmon farm in the Aysén region.

Víctor Soto had removed dead salmon from four pens at the farm and lost his life while he was carrying out that task in the fifth and last cage that had been assigned to him, reports Diario El Divisadero.

According to preliminary information, all his dives were less than 20 metres deep and in a total period of close to 40 minutes, a time limit that had been set by his supervisor, in the context of a maximum range of up to 50 minutes for that type of diving work.

The investigation is being carried out by the Provincial Labour Inspectorate of Aysén.

Constant concern

The regional director of labour, Christian Aros Troncoso, said that “along with deeply regretting the death of a worker in the diving sector in our region during this week, we want to share with the community the constant concern of our service regarding all the workers who work in the sector”.

He added that during 2022 the Aysén Labor Directorate carried out 64 scheduled inspections that led to 35 fines in the sector.

“In the first half of this year we have carried out around 10 inspections and have applied 15 sanctions to companies in the sector,” said Troncoso.

“For us it is deeply sad what happened to this worker on the coast of our region, and on the same day the events occurred we came together with the maritime authority, and we began the investigation of this unfortunate fatal accident, a result that we hope to share with the community as soon as we finish the investigation.”

Soto is the second diver have died while working in the sector in the Aysén region this year. In July, a 63-year-old diving supervisor died after being hit on the head during a lifting manoeuvre at a farm site located near Clemente Island.

Between 2019 and 2022, according to figures from the Chilean Navy's Directemar, another 27 divers have died, while serious accidents total 103.