The body of a 34-year-old pilot and experienced diver, who had been missing since Sunday, was finally detected Wednesday at a depth of around 30 meters at an underwater spot known as the “Devil’s Well”, located just off the Limanakia (Little Harbors) site in the coastal Vouliagmeni township, southeast of Athens. As of Thursday, rescue teams had still not managed to recover the body.

Described as one of the more treacherous dive spots in the greater Athens area, authorities now believe that strong underwater currents likely dragged the diver into a narrow undersea tunnel, where he became trapped. Other scenarios include entanglement in narrow passages, or disorientation and exhaustion in an unforgiving environment.

The victim’s 27-year-old diving partner, who survived, described how the underwater current, some 30 meters, from the shoreline suddenly intensified, pulling the victim out of his sight within seconds. Despite repeated rescue attempts over some 40 minutes—including the use of ropes, a sea scooter – a type of diver’s propulsion vehicles – and an additional air tank—the ill-fated diver was unable to escape.