- EDITIONS:
Spanish News Today
Alicante Today
Andalucia Today
PROPERTY SEARCH
Freak equipment failure and safety lapses led to Cueva del Agua diver tragedy
Rare equipment failure combined with serious safety violations led to the tragedy that claimed life of 37-year-old Lorena in Cartagena
New expert reports have shed light on the tragic death of Lorena, the 37-year-old diver who died in the Cueva del Agua in Isla Plana on Saturday January 18. The judge overseeing the case now has two key documents that point to a rare equipment failure at the moment she lost her life, along with a series of serious safety lapses during the dive.
According to these reports, prepared by the Guardia Civil’s Underwater Activities Specialist Group (GEAS) and the commander of the Navy diving centre, Lorena’s emergency regulator was not functioning correctly when she died because a stone had become lodged in the exhaust valve.
Investigators describe this as an “extremely rare incident” that allows water to enter the airway and which can be resolved only by experienced divers with enough self-control not to panic in such a life-threatening situation.
According to the Navy commander, “the size of the stone and the characteristics of the regulator made it possible for it to have entered accidentally, and could have been a contributing factor to the accident had it occurred beforehand.”
These expert conclusions form part of the ongoing investigation in which Lorena’s partner, a 41-year-old instructor named Ismael, is still under scrutiny for alleged reckless homicide. He has not been arrested, but remains formally charged.
The new GEAS report draws on data from both divers’ computers, extensive follow-up dives made by specialist officers in the days after the incident and 23 GoPro videos recorded by the suspect himself. From this material, investigators have reconstructed the route taken by the couple and the conditions they faced inside the cave.
The Guardia Civil concludes that the pair ventured more than 30 metres beyond the ceiling level of the labyrinthine cave system, which is located near Cartagena’s La Azohía and Isla Plana. This distance places the dive firmly outside the scope of recreational diving and requires specialist cave diving training. Investigators maintain that Lorena did not have this training or the appropriate equipment for such an advanced and hazardous dive.
At the time of the incident, Ismael held a 2-star national instructor certification, which does not authorise cave dives or the teaching of cave diving. He also had certifications labelled ‘Intro to Cave Diving’ and ‘Technical Cave Diving’. However, the certification body ACUC told officers that while he had registered online for instructor status in these disciplines, the instructor responsible for signing him off never completed the process.
Ismael also had problems with his left arm, which the experts believe “could directly affect his ability to respond in emergency situations” in environments like the cave.
From the video analysis, GEAS specialists describe several concerning failures in the planning and execution of the dive. They highlight inadequate lighting management, which meant Ismael and Lorena couldn’t see each other clearly, and a lack of clear navigation planning. Instead of following a linear route with reels or exit markers at each junction, the couple carried out what investigators call a circular dive without any of the required safety precautions.
According to the Guardia Civil, this “violates basic cave diving protocols and creates an inherent risk” because it does not guarantee a safe return route.
Investigators now believe that at some point, Lorena entered the so-called “dead-end gallery” and became disorientated, likely thinking she was still in the “Inmunda” gallery. According to the report, her boyfriend re-entered this dead end section three times looking for her but tragically, Lorena ultimately died inside this gallery.
Image: Policía Local de Mazarrón
Address
Avn. Gran Via de La Manga Calle L, 30. 30380 La Manga del Mar Menor, San JavierTel: +34 711 042 823
The stylish Colina del Emperador is uniquely situated on the shores of the Mar Menor
Situated between the Mediterranean Sea and the Mar Menor, Europe’s largest saltwater lagoon, Colina del Emperador is a family-run boutique beach house offering style, a friendly atmosphere and unbeatable views.
Overlooking the pristine waters, the villa has been completely renovated but retains all the classic charm of a Spanish casa. Colina del Emperador offers 5 double bedrooms, including the newly added opulent Emperor Suite (40m2), an intimate and personalised experience for up to 10 guests, as well as a generous breakfast, free tea and coffee facilities and a range of tapas and snacks.
There is also free breakfast offered with every booking made directly via their website, www.colinadelemperador.com.
Lunch and dinner can also be arranged by booking with staff before 12pm on the day.
Getting there
The closest airport is Corvera Airport, Murcia (RMU) or you may use Alicante Airport, Elche (ALC).
By car, drive to Cabo de Palos and enter the La Manga strip from the south. The best way to find Colina del Emperador is by entering the name of the hotel directly into Google Maps and following the directions from here (in-car SatNavs don’t always get it right).
Staff will also be happy to arrange a pick-up service for you but this needs to be arranged in advance.
Go to the Colina del Emperador website to book your next stay in the Mar Menor.
Bookings can be made directly at www.colinadelemperador.com, by email to info@colinadelemperador.com, via the Instagram profile @ColinadelEmperador or by sending a WhatsApp to 0034 711 042 823
Contact Spanish News Today: Editorial 966 260 896 /
Office 968 018 268
