Five Italians have died in a scuba diving accident in the Maldives, the foreign ministry in Rome has announced.
The divers are believed to have died while attempting to explore caves at a depth of 50 metres (164ft), the ministry said, adding that this tragic incident occurred in Vaavu Atoll.
Four of the deceased were affiliated with a University of Genoa research team, which included ecology professor Monica Montefalcone, her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, and two other researchers.
Maldivian military officials reported the recovery of one body in a cave approximately 60 meters underwater, while the other four divers were presumed to have perished in the same location.
Divers equipped with specialized gear have been deployed to the site, with the search operation deemed extremely high-risk. Italy's foreign ministry has confirmed that efforts are ongoing in collaboration with local authorities in the Maldives.
Additionally, it was noted in a prior statement that another 20 Italian nationals aboard the yacht Duke of York, from which the five divers embarked, are safe and receiving assistance from the Italian Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The yacht awaits improved weather conditions before returning to the Maldivian capital, Male.
This incident marks one of the most severe diving accidents in the Maldives, a popular resort destination famous for its coral islands. The divers entered the water on Thursday morning and were reported missing when they failed to resurface later.
The area of the incident, located about 100 km (62 miles) south of Male, had experienced rough weather, leading to a yellow warning issued for passenger vessels and fishing boats.
Among the victims identified by the University of Genoa are Muriel Oddenino and Federico Gualtieri, alongside the previously mentioned Montefalcone and Sommacal. The fifth victim was identified as Gianluca Benedetti, a boat operations manager and diving instructor.
In a heartfelt statement on X, the University of Genoa expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims.
As investigations into the causes of the accident proceed, initial reports suggest complications may include 'oxygen toxicity,' which can be a risk when diving at significant depths if the oxygen mix is inadequate.
Local dive master Maurizio Uras highlighted that the Indian Ocean presents different challenges compared to the calmer Mediterranean waters, with strong currents presenting additional risks to divers.
Historically, diving and snorkeling accidents in the Maldives are uncommon, although fatalities have occurred in recent years. Notable incidents include the death of an experienced British diver last December and a Japanese lawmaker who drowned while snorkeling in 2024.
