MISSING DIVER’S GEAR FOUND WITH POSSIBLE BITE MARKS AS SHARK THEORY EMERGES

The search for a 46-year-old Chilean diver has taken a mysterious turn after parts of his diving equipment were found with unusual marks — prompting speculation that a shark may have been involved.

Carlos Aquea Álvarez disappeared on September 26 after setting out for a routine spearfishing dive near Caleta Chañaral de Aceituno, off the coast of Chile.

His wife reported him missing after he failed to make contact, triggering a large-scale search operation involving teams on land, at sea and in the air.

Carlos has still not been found.

But search teams have recovered several items believed to be connected to him, including his white Nissan Terrano pickup truck, fins and a harpoon.

It was the condition of some of the diving equipment that raised new questions about what may have happened.

UNUSUAL MARKS FOUND ON DIVING EQUIPMENT

According to Chilean reports, the recovered fins displayed unusual marks that some experts said could be consistent with a shark-related incident.

Dr. Cristián Araya-Jaime of the University of La Serena said there was evidence on the equipment that could suggest Carlos had been involved in an encounter with sharks.

The possibility has intensified fears for Carlos, who has now been missing for nearly a week.

However, another marine researcher urged caution before drawing conclusions.

Dr. Neiti Morales said shark teeth are positioned closely together and would normally be expected to leave a more continuous pattern. She noted that the marks found on the equipment do not necessarily prove that a shark was responsible.

AUTHORITIES HAVE NOT CONFIRMED A SHARK ATTACK

Chile’s maritime authorities have stressed that the cause of Carlos’ disappearance remains unknown.

Capt. Cristián González said investigators were not ruling out any possibility, while the Chilean Navy has continued coordinating the search.

A Chilean Navy official also confirmed that parts of Carlos’ diving equipment had been recovered, including a fin, harpoon and damaged upper section of his wetsuit.

However, the official said there was no way to determine simply from the damage whether it had been caused by a shark.

The recovered equipment has been handed over for forensic examination.

Authorities are also using drones and specialist teams as they continue searching the coastline and surrounding waters.

AN EXPERIENCED DIVER

Carlos was not an inexperienced diver.

He had almost 30 years of diving experience and was a well-known spearfisher in Chile.

He became the country’s national spearfishing champion in 2024 before later winning a Pan-American title.

He had been diving since childhood, reportedly receiving his first mask and snorkel when he was just seven years old.

That experience has made his disappearance particularly difficult for his family and fellow divers to understand.

Carlos also has a wife and young children who are waiting for news.

OTHER POSSIBILITIES REMAIN OPEN

The shark theory is only one of several possibilities being considered.

Local reporting has noted other potential explanations, including Carlos becoming trapped in underwater kelp, being affected by strong ocean conditions or suffering a medical emergency.

There is currently no confirmed evidence that a shark attacked him.

Chile’s fisheries authority has also urged caution, noting that it has no recorded cases of shark attacks on people in the region and saying investigators should wait for the results of the forensic examinations.

For now, the search continues.

Carlos’ vehicle has been found.

Parts of his diving equipment have been recovered.

But the experienced diver himself remains missing.

And until investigators complete their examination of the equipment and search teams establish what happened beneath the waters off Caleta Chañaral de Aceituno, the circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain unanswered.