Five Italians die during cave scuba dive in Maldives

Five Italian divers tragically lost their lives in a scuba diving accident in the Maldives, as confirmed by the foreign ministry in Rome.

According to the ministry, "the divers are believed to have died while attempting to explore caves at a depth of 50 metres (164ft)" in Vaavu Atoll.

Among the victims, four were affiliated with a team from the University of Genoa, including professor of ecology Monica Montefalcone, her daughter, and two fellow researchers.

The Maldives' military reported that one body was located within a cave approximately 60 meters underwater, and it is assumed that the remaining four divers are also in that location. They indicated that divers equipped with specialized gear had been dispatched to the site, characterizing the search operation as extremely high-risk.

This incident is regarded as the most severe single diving accident recorded in the Maldives, which is renowned for its series of picturesque coral islands attracting numerous tourists.

Local media reported that the five divers entered the water on Thursday morning. Their dive crew raised the alarm when they did not resurface as expected.

Officials noted that the weather in the area, situated about 100 kilometers (62 miles) south of the capital Malé, was inclement. A yellow warning was subsequently issued for passenger vessels and fishermen.

The University of Genoa identified the victims as Montefalcone, her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, a student, research fellow Muriel Oddenino, and marine biology graduate Federico Gualtieri. The fifth casualty has been recognized as Gianluca Benedetti, the boat operations manager and diving instructor.

In a statement on X, the university extended its "deepest condolences" to the families of the victims.

While diving and snorkeling accidents are relatively uncommon in the Maldives, several fatalities have been documented in recent years. Notably, last December, an experienced British female diver tragically drowned during a scuba dive near the island resort of Ellaidhoo, and her husband succumbed to illness five days later. Additionally, in 2024, a Japanese lawmaker lost his life while snorkeling in Lhaviyani Atoll.