Tragedy at the Le Polynesian Wreck: How Krzysztof and Dominik’s Dive Turned Fatal

Incident Location	Diver Full Name
Malta, Coast of Malta, Le Polynesian Wreck	Krzysztof Bialecki, Dominik Dubaj

On July 6th, 2022, the diving world was shaken by the tragic deaths of Krzysztof Bialecki and Dominik Dubaj, two Polish divers exploring the Le Polynesian wreck off the coast of Malta. Despite their experience and preparation, a series of critical failures led to devastating consequences.

This incident reverberated through the global diving community, serving as a sobering reminder that no amount of experience can replace thorough safety checks. Each dive, no matter how routine, must begin with meticulous inspection of diving gear, diving computers, diving tanks, and the diver’s physical and mental readiness.

“Every check counts. Safety is not optional—it is vital.”

Experienced Leadership Meets Critical Malfunction

Background of the Divers

Krzysztof Bialecki was a highly respected diver and instructor, leading expeditions with his dive club, Diving Explorers. Known by the nickname Tatał (meaning Dad in Polish), he was admired for his leadership and mentorship.

Dominik Dubaj, while experienced in recreational diving with about two years under his belt, was new to closed-circuit rebreather diving—a far more complex and risk-prone method of diving.

The Dive Begins

During the dive, the team descended to 65 meters—deeper than the initially planned 50 meters. It was at this depth that Dominik encountered a serious malfunction with his rebreather system. His wing bladder began filling uncontrollably with air, causing him to ascend rapidly and without control.

In such scenarios, the diving community often references a cold truth:

“Better one diver lost than two.”
But Kristoff wasn’t the kind of man who would abandon a fellow diver.

The Fatal Ascent

Kristoff attempted to help Dominik regain control, but Dominik panicked and froze. Critically, he did not exhale during the ascent—a fatal mistake in deep diving. As a result, his lungs ruptured due to expanding air, leading to severe internal injuries.

Eyewitness Account

Another diver, Weronika Werbeck, recalled the moment:

“I was filming underwater when my camera stopped working. The current was strong, so I resurfaced. As soon as I got back on the boat, the two men surfaced. They were conscious but clearly in distress.”

Dominik was foaming and bleeding from the mouth, indicative of ruptured lungs and barotrauma. Both divers had skipped a full hour of required decompression stops, increasing their risk for decompression sickness, also known as “the bends.”

Immediate Aftermath on the Surface

Kristoff, understanding the urgency, returned to the boat, requested new diving tanks, and attempted to re-enter the water to complete his decompression stop. However, he was stopped by crew members—possibly a decision meant to preserve his life but one that ultimately changed his fate.

Soon after, the Armed Forces of Malta arrived and rushed both divers toward Mater Dei Hospital. Unfortunately, Dominik was declared dead shortly after arrival, with an estimated time of death just 30 minutes post-surfacing.

A Medical Tragedy: The Loss of Kristoff

Treatment Delays and Errors

Kristoff, though initially conscious and alert, began to lose sensation in his legs—an early symptom of severe decompression illness. He was placed in a hyperbaric chamber, and hope briefly returned. Early signs indicated he might survive.

However, tragedy struck again. The hyperbaric medicine consultant, who was responsible for Kristoff’s treatment, left the hospital to watch a soccer match. He failed to answer urgent calls and left Kristoff in the care of a junior doctor still in training.

When Kristoff’s condition worsened, the junior doctor pleaded for assistance, but the consultant remained unreachable.

“The consultant misdiagnosed the symptoms as oxygen toxicity, not decompression illness.”

By the time he returned, it was too late. Kristoff’s condition had deteriorated severely. He went into cardiac arrest and died just 38 minutes after the consultant’s return.

Legal and Ethical Fallout

A judicial inquiry into the incident uncovered disturbing failures in Kristoff’s post-dive care. While the dive center, Dive Shack Scuba School, was cleared of negligence, the consultant’s absence and inaction may result in criminal charges.

Possible Legal Consequences:

Charge	Potential Punishment
Involuntary Manslaughter	Up to 4 years in prison
Professional Negligence	Fine of £10,000 or more

The inquiry confirmed that reliance on an undertrained junior doctor and poor decision-making significantly contributed to Kristoff’s death.

Remembering Kristoff: A Hero in the Depths

Kristoff’s final actions reflect his heroic character. He knowingly sacrificed his own decompression time in a desperate attempt to save Dominik. His story has become a solemn symbol of selflessness and integrity in the diving world.

Friends and fellow divers describe him as:

• A mentor and father figure
• A respected instructor
• A diver with deep respect for safety and education
• A leader who put others before himself

“He was more than an instructor—he was family to many.”