UPDATE 3PM: Two divers who went missing for around four hours this afternoon have been safely located.
The pair, a 24-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man both from Howrah, were rescued from waters near Alligator Rock at Bicheno a short time ago.
Multiple recreational vessels joined Police and the rescue helicopter in the search.
Inspector Colin Riley told media the divers were located 3.6km offshore.
“When they entered the water at 10:15, they could only remain underwater for 5 minutes for a technical reason so effectively they remained on the surface and they drifted for 4 hours,” he said.
Police have described the result as ‘incredibly lucky’.
EARLIER: A large search is currently underway on Tasmania’s east coast after two divers failed to return from a planned trip this morning.
Police and emergency services, including the Westpac Rescue Helicopter, are currently searching waters off Bicheno for the pair who were diving together in the area around 10:15am.
Both failed to return to shore as planned at 11am, with authorities notified shortly before midday.
Multiple recreational vessels have joined Police in the search, which is currently focused on waters near Alligator Rock, just off the Bicheno foreshore.
