Pingtung: A court has ordered a couple and their diving center to pay total compensation of NT$20.73 million (US$625,944) to the family of a Japanese national who died during one of their diving courses in Pingtung County over five years ago.
According to Focus Taiwan, the ruling in the civil lawsuit, which came in December 2024 and awarded the family far less than the NT$80 million it requested, can be appealed, as stated in a Pingtung District Court document. The case dates back to August 15, 2019, when the victim, identified by his last name Kujirai, participated in a three-day open water scuba diving course in Houbihu with Lidao Dive Co.
The school was operated by the defendants in the case, a Taiwanese man surnamed Lin and his Japanese wife, both certified Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). During a training session in the morning aimed at equalizing air pressure, Kujirai was observed diving into the water and resurfacing 18-20 times, indicating trouble maintaining his equilibrium, according to the court.
Despite choppy waters and poor visibility, Kujirai and several other trainees were instructed to dive 10 meters during a later session around noon, with Lin and his wife accompanying them. The Japanese national, in his 40s, subsequently went missing in the water. Rescue teams later found him submerged 30 meters from the shoreline nearly one hour later with no vital signs, according to the court's ruling.
The Pingtung District Court document stated that Lin and his wife failed to pay adequate attention to Kujirai and did not stay within arm's reach during the dive. They also did not monitor the man's physical condition despite the difficulty he experienced balancing his ear pressure earlier in the day.
The Lidao Dive couple were subsequently indicted by prosecutors for negligent homicide and found guilty of the crime. They appealed the ruling, but it was later upheld by the Taiwan High Court. Another appeal was filed, but in June 2024, the Supreme Court upheld the lower court's decision, sentencing them each to eight months and six months in prison.
Kujirai's parents, wife, and children later filed a civil suit against Lin and his company, asking for NT$80 million in compensation for funeral expenses as well as funds for family support. After a thorough review, the Pingtung court ultimately awarded the family a combined NT$20.73 million, a ruling that is subject to appeal.