In brief
Five Italians, including members of a University of Genoa research team, have died in a scuba diving accident in the Maldives while exploring caves roughly 50 meters deep. The incident marks one of the worst diving tragedies in the region. Italian authorities are collaborating with local agencies for recovery operations.
Five Italians have died in a scuba diving accident in the Maldives, the foreign ministry in Rome confirmed. The divers were reportedly attempting to explore caves at a depth of 50 meters (164ft) in Vaavu Atoll. Among the victims were four members of a University of Genoa team, including professor Monica Montefalcone, her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, and two researchers. The Maldives' military reported that one body was found in a cave about 60m underwater, while it is believed that the other four divers are also there.Search and recovery operations are ongoing, with divers possessing specialized equipment being deployed to the area, which officials have described as very high risk. Italy's foreign ministry is working with Maldivian authorities to locate the missing bodies. Officials stated that another 20 Italians aboard the Duke of York yacht from which the five divers departed are unharmed and receiving assistance from Italy’s embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The yacht is currently waiting for improved weather conditions to return to the Maldives' capital, Male.This incident is believed to be one of the worst single diving accidents in the Maldives, a destination renowned for its stunning coral islands. The five divers entered water on Thursday morning and were reported missing when they failed to resurface.Weather conditions in the area, approximately 100km (62 miles) south of Male, were reported to be rough. A yellow warning was issued for passenger boats and fishermen. The University of Genoa has mourned the loss, expressing its deepest condolences to the families of the victims. The diving community is speculating on potential causes of the tragedy, including the possibility of oxygen toxicity, particularly in challenging environmental conditions.Diving accidents in the Maldives are rare, although prior incidents have occurred, highlighting the importance of safety practices in such extreme environments.
