Key Facts
• June 29: Two men in their 60s died while snorkeling in Okinawa.
• Locations: Tokashiki Village’s Aharen Beach and Zamami Village’s Nishihama Beach.
• Victims: A man from Tokyo and another from Chiba, both found floating unresponsive.
• Cause: Suspected drowning; neither wore life jackets.
• 2025 marine accidents in Okinawa: 41 cases, 10 deaths/missing.
• June 2025 alone: 6 deaths/missing, a sharp increase.
• 2020–2025: 43 snorkeling/swimming deaths, nearly 90% without life jackets.
• 73% of 2025 accidents involved tourists from outside Okinawa.
• Peak season for marine accidents: July to October.
• Authorities urge life jacket use, health monitoring, and swimming at supervised beaches.
Summary
On June 29, two men in their 60s tragically drowned while snorkeling in Okinawa’s renowned Kerama Blue waters. The incidents occurred at Aharen Beach in Tokashiki Village and Nishihama Beach in Zamami Village. Both victims, from Tokyo and Chiba, were found unresponsive and were not wearing life jackets. These accidents highlight a concerning trend, with 41 marine-related incidents reported in Okinawa in 2025, resulting in 10 deaths or missing persons. Notably, 73% of these cases involved tourists from outside the region. Over the past five years, 43 snorkeling and swimming fatalities have been recorded, with nearly 90% of victims not wearing life jackets. Authorities emphasize the importance of safety measures, including life jacket use, health monitoring, and swimming at supervised beaches, especially as marine accidents peak from July to October.
