Five Italian divers have died in a scuba diving accident in the Maldives, with one body recovered and four others believed to be trapped in a deep underwater cave. The incident occurred on Thursday in Vaavu Atoll, a popular diving destination known for its coral reefs and underwater caves. The divers, all Italian nationals, were part of a research expedition and failed to resurface after entering the cave system, which extends to a depth of about 60 meters (200 feet).
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) launched a major search operation, deploying aircraft, speedboats, and dive teams to the area. One body was found inside the cave, and authorities believe the remaining four divers are also inside the same cave. The recovery operation is described as high-risk due to adverse weather conditions and the depth of the cave.
The Italian Foreign Ministry confirmed the deaths and stated that the divers were attempting to explore caves at a depth of 50 meters (164 feet). An Italian expert has joined the search efforts, assisting local authorities in the recovery operation. The Italian Embassy in Sri Lanka is providing assistance to the victims' families and other Italians aboard the Duke of York yacht, which was used for the expedition.
The group had boarded the 'luxury' Duke of York yacht, a foreign-operated live-aboard diving vessel, and disappeared near Alimatha, one of the atoll's most popular diving spots. The University of Genoa identified the victims as a marine biology professor, her daughter, and two young researchers. The cause of the accident remains under investigation, with police launching a probe into the tragedy.
Rescue teams continued their search on Friday, but rough weather conditions could delay the recovery efforts. The MNDF stated that a coastguard vessel was coordinating the search operation throughout the night, with additional divers and specialized equipment being sent to assist in the high-risk operation.