The bodies of four Italian divers who went missing during a scuba diving accident in the Maldives last week have been located, officials confirmed. The Italians were found inside a 60-metre-deep (197ft) cave in Vaavu Atoll by a joint team of highly trained Finnish and Maldivian divers. A Maldivian rescue diver also died while searching for the bodies of the group. This incident is believed to be one of the worst single diving accidents in the Maldives, a popular tourist destination known for its coral reefs.
Further dives [are] to be carried out in the coming days to recover the bodies, said Mohamed Hossain Shareef, a Maldivian government spokesperson. Two of the bodies would be recovered on Tuesday and the remaining two the following day.
Italy's foreign ministry reported that the four bodies were located in the cave's third section. The group had entered the water at Vaavu Atoll on Thursday morning and were reported missing when they failed to resurface later. Police noted that the weather was rough when the group went missing, leading to a warning for passenger boats and fishermen.
Among the victims were renowned researchers including Prof Monica Montefalcone and her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, who were investigating climate change impacts, along with other team members associated with the University of Genoa. The fifth victim, diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti, was initially recovered shortly after the accident. A deeper investigation is underway to establish the circumstances leading to the tragic event.
Further dives [are] to be carried out in the coming days to recover the bodies, said Mohamed Hossain Shareef, a Maldivian government spokesperson. Two of the bodies would be recovered on Tuesday and the remaining two the following day.
Italy's foreign ministry reported that the four bodies were located in the cave's third section. The group had entered the water at Vaavu Atoll on Thursday morning and were reported missing when they failed to resurface later. Police noted that the weather was rough when the group went missing, leading to a warning for passenger boats and fishermen.
Among the victims were renowned researchers including Prof Monica Montefalcone and her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, who were investigating climate change impacts, along with other team members associated with the University of Genoa. The fifth victim, diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti, was initially recovered shortly after the accident. A deeper investigation is underway to establish the circumstances leading to the tragic event.
