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Top Russian Free Diver Missing In Spanish Waters


Natalia Molchanova

Russian free diver Natalia Molchanova remains missing three days after she went on a recreational dive off Spain's Balearic Islands and never resurfaced.

Molchanova, 53, is considered by many to be the greatest female free diver of all time.

The international free-diving federation AIDA and Molchanova's family said she went on a 30- to 40-meter free dive off the coast of Formentera Island in the Mediterranean Sea on August 2 but did not resurface.

Molchanova, a mother of two, is the most decorated free diver in the world, with 41 world records and 23 world championship titles.

Free diving is a form of underwater diving in which divers hold their breath instead of using breathing apparatus such as a scuba tank.

Molchanova's feats include holding her breath for more than nine minutes and diving to a depth of 101 meters using a fin.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP
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