Five Italians have died in a scuba diving accident in the Maldives, as confirmed by the foreign ministry in Rome. It is believed they perished while exploring caves at a depth of 50 meters (164ft) in Vaavu Atoll.
Among the victims were four members of a University of Genoa team, including professor of ecology Monica Montefalcone, her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, a research fellow, and a marine biology graduate. The search and recovery operations have been complicated by the challenging underwater conditions.
As of now, one body has been located in a cave about 60 meters underwater, and efforts continue to recover the other four divers. The Italian embassy in Sri Lanka has ensured that the other 20 Italians on board the Duke of York yacht, from which the divers set off, are safe.
Authorities of the Maldives described the situation as critical, with a yellow warning issued for rough sea conditions. The incident has shaken the diving community and highlights the risks associated with deep diving in challenging environments.
Montafalcone’s husband described her as a highly skilled diver. Investigators are exploring all potential causes, including the possibility of oxygen toxicity at great depths, with subsequent diving operations planned to search the remaining areas of the underwater cave.
