Italy is bestowing one of its highest national honors, the Gold Medal for Civil Valour, upon Sergeant First Class Mohamed Mahudhy, a brave Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) diver who lost his life during a rescue mission to save missing Italian tourists.
The announcement was made in a official statement by the Italian Embassy in Colombo, which confirmed that Sergeant Mahudhy is being recognized posthumously with the prestigious award for his extraordinary bravery and sacrifice.
The tragedy occurred on May 16, when Sergeant Mahudhy, an experienced military diver participated in a high-risk search operation to locate a group of Italian tourists trapped in an underwater cave near Vaavu Atoll Alimathá. During the search, Mahudhy tragically died from severe complications related to decompression sickness. A total of six people lost their lives in the disaster, including five Italian divers whose bodies were later recovered from the cave system.
To support his grieving relatives, the Italian Embassy, alongside the Italian Honorary Consular Agency in Male’, has established a dedicated relief fund. Members of the public and organizations can contribute financial assistance to the designated bank account through December 31. All funds collected will be directly transferred to Sergeant Mahudhy’s legal heirs.
Expressing deep condolences to Mahudhy’s loved ones, the Embassy also extended its gratitude to everyone supporting the relief effort and honoring the sacrifice of the fallen Maldivian hero.
