Record-breaking freediver Andrea Zuccari mysteriously vanishes on Red Sea dive as parts from his scuba gear found
RECORD-breaking freediver Andrea Zuccari is feared dead after mysteriously vanishing while exploring the Red Sea.
The 48-year-old, famed for his daring descents to the depths without a mask, disappeared on August 28 off the coast of Egypt.
Authorities chillingly discovered some of his scuba gear after launching a search for the legendary diver.
Zuccari had embarked on a daring trip close to Sharm el Sheikh to conduct maintenance work on a dive platform.
The Italian national, who had set records for depth-diving without a mask, was fixing connection cables, according to reports.
He was using a backplate-and-wing as well as a scooter while diving down up to 50 metres below the surface.
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Concerns are now growing that Zuccari never surfaced from his maintenance mission.
The discovery of his diving equipment has further alarmed authorities, however, no body has been found.
A vast search to find Zuccari has been underway off the coast of the popular resort over the last four days since his disappearance.
He is said to have known the area well as he moved to Egypt in his late 20s to become a scuba instructor.
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The thrill-seeker later moved on to technical diving before taking up freediving in 2006 and began competing the following year.
Zuccari previously told : "I have always been very competitive, and this is what allowed me to reach great depths quite quickly, but not without difficulties.
"At that time, freediving was mostly about being able to reach the surface and say 'I’m alive? Yes. Alright, so now I can dive even deeper!'
"Often after a deep dive I would cough up and spit blood, or lose consciousness. But, no, I never felt fear."
He founded the Freediving World Apnea Centre in 2012, providing training facilities for divers of all abilities.
People from all over the world flocked to the site to perfect their diving skills under the guidance of the esteemed extreme sportsman.
Two years later Zuccari, set a world record with his 175m dive without wearing a mask.
The 3-minute and 13-second descent set an Italian record and earned him the title of the second deepest male freediver in the world.
He then beat his personal best in 2017 after plummeting 185m below the surface without a mask.
Zuccari also set a series of No Limits records for his daring diving and intended to take part in the Freediving World Cup later this year.
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The diver had already taken part in the tournament's August event and had excitedly shared promo posts on social media.
He also taught courses across the globe and was reportedly due to fly to Sardinia, Italy, in two weeks time.
