A diver named Wei Su, aged 57, tragically lost consciousness and later died during an underwater investigation aimed at recovering the remains of 183 individuals who perished in a wartime flooding incident at the Longsei Coal Mine in Ube, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan. This incident has prompted family members of Wei to express their desire for the ongoing activities of the 'Longsei Coal Mine Water Emergency Historical Recording Association', which focuses on preserving the historical context and safety of such diving efforts. On the 13th, Yoko Inoue, the representative of this association, announced the family’s request through the organization's website.

The family emphasized the importance of ensuring safety measures to prevent further tragedies and recognized the meaningfulness of continuing the diving activities, expressing their hope that the association would adhere to these principles. Wei Su’s passing has raised concerns about the safety protocols involved in such underwater searches. Reports from the Ube Coast Guard suggest that his cause of death is suspected to be drowning, highlighting the risks faced by divers engaged in this challenging work.

As his remains were cremated in Japan on the 11th and then returned to Taiwan on the 13th, the incident has not only affected his family personally but has also sparked discussions within the community regarding the safety and historical importance of recovering the remains of those lost in the wartime disaster, which occurred decades earlier. The divergence of public sentiments around diving safety and historical remembrance is crucial as the association seeks to navigate these sensitive waters moving forward.