Three Finnish deep-diving specialists have arrived in the Maldives to assist authorities in the ongoing search for the bodies of four Italian divers believed to be trapped inside an underwater cave system in Vaavu Atoll. The new team is expected to help redesign the recovery strategy after earlier operations were suspended following the death of a Maldivian military diver.
The incident occurred after a group of five Italian divers reportedly descended to depths of around 50 metres while exploring underwater caves near Alimathaa. Recreational diving in the Maldives is generally limited to 30 metres unless special authorization is granted. Authorities believe the group entered a complex cave network with narrow passages and difficult underwater conditions.
One of the divers, diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti, was recovered near the entrance of the cave shortly after the incident. The remaining four divers are still missing and are believed to be deeper inside the cave system. The victims include ecology professor Monica Montefalcone, her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, marine biologist Federico Gualtieri, and researcher Muriel Oddenino.
Search efforts were further complicated after Maldives National Defence Force diver Staff Sergeant Mohamed Mahudhee died from suspected decompression sickness during the rescue mission. President Mohamed Muizzu attended the diver’s funeral and described the loss as heartbreaking for the nation.
Officials say rough sea conditions and the technical challenges of cave diving have repeatedly slowed recovery operations. Investigators are also examining whether the dive exceeded permitted limits and whether proper technical equipment was used for the expedition. The Maldives Tourism Ministry has meanwhile suspended the operating license of the dive vessel involved pending further investigation.
