MALE, Maldives (AP), Authorities in the Maldives have confirmed that the bodies of four Italian divers missing since last week were discovered inside a deep underwater cave in Vaavu Atoll, ending a search operation that also claimed the life of a Maldivian rescue diver.
The victims were part of a group of five Italians who disappeared during a cave diving expedition at depths of around 50 to 60 meters (160 to 197 feet), far beyond the Maldives’ recreational diving limit of 30 meters. The body of one diver, instructor Gianluca Benedetti, was recovered earlier near the cave entrance. The remaining four, University of Genoa professor Monica Montefalcone, her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, and researchers Muriel Oddenino and Federico Gualtieri were located inside the cave system by a joint team of Finnish and Maldivian divers.
Officials said the group had been participating in a scientific cruise focused on coral sampling but undertook the cave dive privately. Cave diving is considered one of the most dangerous forms of scuba diving, requiring specialized equipment and training. Authorities noted the group appeared to be using standard recreational gear rather than technical equipment designed for deep cave exploration.
May 14, 2026,Five Italian divers went missing during a cave dive in Vaavu Atoll. One body was recovered the same day, May 16, 2026, Maldivian rescue diver Staff Sgt. Mohamed Mahdhee died during recovery efforts, May 18, 2026: The remaining four Italian divers were found dead inside the cave system.
The search lasted several days and was repeatedly hampered by rough seas and the depth of the cave. Staff Sgt. Mohamed Mahdhee of the Maldivian National Defense Force died of decompression sickness during recovery efforts, prompting a temporary suspension of the operation before international experts joined to resume. Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu attended Mahdhee’s funeral, underscoring the national impact of the tragedy.
Italy’s Foreign Ministry expressed condolences to the victims’ families and praised the Maldivian authorities and foreign experts who assisted in the search. The University of Genoa described the loss of its researchers as “a devastating blow to the scientific community.”
The incident is believed to be the deadliest single diving accident in the Maldives, a nation globally known for its coral islands and luxury diving tourism. International observers say the tragedy highlights the risks of unregulated deep diving and may prompt stricter enforcement of safety rules in the archipelago.
Authorities are now working on a plan to safely recover the bodies and investigate the circumstances of the accident.
