The bodies of four Italian divers who went missing during a scuba diving accident in the Maldives have been located, officials confirmed. The divers were found inside a 60-metre-deep cave in Vaavu Atoll by a joint team of Finnish and Maldivian divers. The body of a fifth Italian diver had already been recovered shortly after the accident.
The Italian divers, including University of Genoa researchers Prof Monica Montefalcone and Muriel Oddenino, were in the Maldives to study the impact of climate change on biodiversity. The group also included Giorgia Sommacal, Prof Montefalcone’s daughter, and Federico Gualtieri, a recent graduate. Gianluca Benedetti, a boat operations manager and diving instructor, was the fifth victim.
Maldives Diving Accident
The accident occurred on Thursday when the group failed to resurface after entering the water at Vaavu Atoll. Police reported rough weather in the area, with a yellow warning issued for passenger boats and fishermen. The group had permission to study the coral, but there was no mention of the cave in their proposal.
The University of Genoa stated that the dive was not part of the authorized research and was carried out in a personal capacity. The university expressed immense grief and respect for the deceased and their families. A Maldivian rescue diver, Staff Sgt Mohamed Mahdhee, also died while searching for the bodies on Saturday.
Investigation and Aftermath
An investigation is ongoing to establish the cause of the accident. The recovery of the bodies is expected to take place over the next few days. The incident is believed to be the worst single diving accident in the Maldives, a popular tourist destination known for its coral islands.
The accident highlights the risks and challenges associated with deep-sea diving, particularly in areas with rough weather conditions. The incident will likely have implications for diving regulations and safety protocols in the Maldives.
