A Maldivian military diver has died during a high-risk operation to recover the bodies of four Italian scuba divers who drowned while exploring a deep underwater cave in the Maldives. Mohamed Mahudhee, a member of the Maldivian National Defence Force, suffered decompression sickness after searching for the bodies and died in hospital in the capital, Male.
The five Italians died on Thursday in Vaavu Atoll, a region of the Indian Ocean archipelago. The body of one diver, Gianluca Benedetti, was found near the cave mouth, while the other four are believed to be inside the cave, which comprises three large chambers connected by narrow passages. The recovery team had explored two chambers on Friday but was hampered in the third.
Authorities temporarily suspended the search on Friday due to bad weather but resumed on Saturday. Two Italian experts—a deep-sea rescue specialist and a cave diving expert—were expected to join the effort. Italy's foreign minister, Antonio Tajani, said the government would do everything possible to recover the bodies.
The deceased have been identified as Monica Montefalcone, an ecology professor at the University of Genoa; her daughter Giorgia Sommacal; marine biologist Federico Gualtieri; researcher Muriel Oddenino; and diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti. Montefalcone and Oddenino were on a scientific mission to monitor marine environments and study climate change effects on tropical biodiversity.
The dive exceeded the recreational limit of 30 metres (98ft) in the Maldives, reaching 50 metres (164ft). Experts warn that cave diving at such depths can cause disorientation, especially with reduced visibility from sediment. The luxury yacht Duke of York, which carried the group, had its operating licence suspended indefinitely pending investigation.
Montefalcone's husband, Carlo Sommacal, ruled out recklessness, describing her as a disciplined diver who carefully assessed risks. Greenpeace Italia paid tribute to her as a passionate marine advocate. The incident is the worst single diving accident in the Maldives.
