Finnish rescue divers have proposed a new theory about the deaths of five Italian divers in a deep-sea cave in the Maldives, suggesting a ‘sand bank illusion’ may have led them astray. The bodies of the final two divers were recovered on Wednesday, a week after the accident, which authorities believe is the deadliest scuba diving incident in the country's history.
The group, led by marine ecologist Monica Montefalcone, 51, disappeared while exploring a cave in Vaavu Atoll. The body of their diving instructor was found outside the cave, while Finnish recovery divers located two others on Tuesday at a depth of 60 metres. Professional divers from Dan Europe discovered the remaining victims in a dead-end corridor inside the cave complex.
Laura Marroni, CEO of Dan Europe, told La Repubblica that the divers may have taken a wrong turn while trying to exit. She described the cave near Alimatha, which opens into a bright cavern at 50 metres, connected to a dark second chamber by a 30-metre corridor with little light. A rising sand bank at one end of the second chamber can resemble a wall, creating an illusion that might have directed the divers toward a dead end instead of the exit.
Marroni estimated that the divers’ 12-litre tanks would have allowed only 10 minutes in the second cave. Panic from realising they were lost would have reduced their oxygen supply further. “Realising that the path is the wrong one and having little air... is terrifying. Then you breathe quickly and the air supply decreases,” she said.
The group included Montefalcone’s daughter Giorgia, biomedical engineering student Muriel Oddenino, research fellow Federico Gualtieri, and diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti. The cave, previously explored by local experts, is known for challenging conditions, including strong currents and poor visibility. Other theories suggest the divers may have been sucked into the cave and ran out of oxygen. Maldivian authorities continue to investigate.
