Five Italian divers have died during an underwater cave expedition in the Maldives, authorities confirmed. The group was exploring caves at a depth of approximately 50 to 60 metres in Vaavu Atoll, located about 64 kilometres from the capital Malé.
Distress Alert and Rescue Operation
The divers went missing on Thursday morning after failing to resurface. A distress alert was raised around early afternoon. The Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) stated that the distress call reached the Maldivian Coast Guard's maritime coordination centre at 1:45 pm. Rescue teams, including specialist divers, boats, and aerial support, were deployed to the scuba hotspot near Alimatha island. One body was recovered inside a submerged cave at 6:13 pm, while the remaining four divers are believed to be still inside the same cave system, which extends to a depth of approximately 60 metres. The operation was described as high-risk, and challenging weather conditions, including strong winds and an official yellow alert, hampered efforts.
Victims Identified
The victims have been identified as Monica Montefalcone, a marine biology professor at the University of Genoa; her daughter, Giorgia Sommacal; researcher Muriel Oddenino; marine scientist Federico Gualtieri; and dive operator Gianluca Benedetti. The University of Genoa expressed deep condolences to the families in a statement on social media.
Investigation Underway
Authorities are investigating the exact circumstances of the incident. Early reports from Italian media, including Corriere della Sera and La Repubblica, suggest the group may have become trapped or disoriented inside the cave system during challenging diving conditions. The Italian foreign ministry confirmed the divers died while attempting to explore caves at a depth of 50 metres, noting that Maldivian authorities are reconstructing the incident. According to La Repubblica, exploring these caves requires special certification, but all divers were experienced. Local police have opened an investigation, although the cause of death has not yet been disclosed. This incident is considered one of the most serious diving accidents ever recorded in the Maldives, a renowned destination for diving tourism.
