Elon Musk has apologized for calling a diver involved in rescuing 12 boys and their coach from a flooded Thai cave a 'pedo.'
The incident began when British diver Vernon Unsworth criticized the "kid-size" submarine Musk had made to help with the cave rescue mission and said the Tesla, SpaceX, and The Boring Company "can stick his submarine where it hurts." In response to the criticism, Musk called Unsworth a "pedo guy" and the British diver said he would consider legal action over the slur.
Musk had deleted his tweet earlier but apologized for his comment on Twitter on Tuesday night.
"His actions against me do not justify my actions against him, and for that I apologize to Mr. Unsworth and to the companies I represent as leader. The fault is mine and mine alone," Musk said.
The apology was a follow-up to a tweet sent three minutes earlier in which Musk said his "words were spoken in anger after Mr. Unsworth said several untruths & suggested I engage in a sexual act with the mini-sub."
Musk also pointed out that the sub had been made "according to specifications from the dive team leader."
The outburst seemed to affect Tesla shares with stocks sliding about 3.5% on Monday as investors urged Musk to abandon his tirades and focus on his companies.