The search operation in the underwater cave on Vaavu Atoll in the Maldives has concluded, where a group of experienced Italian divers went missing. Rescuers discovered the bodies of four tourists at a depth of about 60 meters. Earlier, a local military diver who participated in the rescue operation also died during the search.
The bodies were found at a depth of 60 meters, in a hard-to-reach area of the cave located on the Vaavu Atoll. The operation involved both local and Finnish rescuers, and specialized equipment was used.
The deceased include Monica Montefalcone, a professor of marine ecology at the University of Genoa, her daughter, student Giorgia Sommacal, researcher Muriel Oddenito, and marine biologist Federico Gualtieri. The body of their accompanying diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti had previously been found.
On May 14, a group of experienced divers, along with instructor Gianluca Benedetti, descended to a depth of 50–60 meters. Among them were marine biologists from the University of Genoa. They intended to study three underwater chambers connected by narrow passages.
However, at the appointed time, no one surfaced. Rescuers found the body of the instructor at the entrance to the cave. The other four tourists remained inside.
Why This Happened
The deceased were professionals: all had certifications, were familiar with the area, and had previously dived in the Maldives.
"They would never have broken the rules. We exclude any negligence or carelessness," stated the lawyer for the Gualtieri family.
But at such depths, even experienced divers can encounter unexpected challenges. Nitrogen narcosis dulls consciousness, air consumption increases rapidly, and surfacing from a cave is difficult. Any mistake or accident can turn into a disaster.
How the Rescuer Died
When it became clear that the Italians were missing, the first to dive was senior military diver Mohamed Mahoudi. He was in a hurry, and due to the rapid descent, he developed decompression sickness—nitrogen bubbles formed in his blood. The 43-year-old sergeant could not be saved.
According to the editorial team at bb.lv, the tragedy in the Maldives once again highlighted how dangerous deep-sea dives can be even for professional divers. Despite the high level of training of the expedition participants, the combination of great depth, the complex terrain of the cave, and extreme conditions led to the deaths of several individuals. An investigation will now determine the cause of one of the most severe diving disasters in recent years in the Maldives.
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