Five Italians have died in a scuba diving accident in the Maldives, confirmed by the foreign ministry in Rome.
The divers are believed to have died while attempting to explore caves at a depth of 50 meters (164ft), the ministry stated, noting that the incident took place in Vaavu Atoll.
Four of the deceased divers were affiliated with the University of Genoa, including Professor of Ecology Monica Montefalcone, her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, and two researchers.
Maldivian military personnel reported that one body was discovered in a cave approximately 60 meters underwater, with rescuers believing the other four divers are in the same location.
Specialized divers have been deployed, facing significant risks as they conduct the search operation.
Italy's foreign ministry is collaborating with Maldivian authorities to locate the bodies. Additionally, twenty other Italians on the Duke of York yacht, from which the divers departed, remain unharmed and are receiving support from the Italian embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The tragic incident is now regarded as the most severe single diving accident in the Maldives, a country known for its coral islands and underwater attractions.
On Thursday morning, the five divers entered the water. They were reported missing after failing to resurface, prompting their crew to raise the alarm.
Police indicated that weather conditions around the area were turbulent, about 100 kilometers south of Male, prompting warnings for passenger boats and fishermen.
According to the University of Genoa, the victims include Montefalcone, her daughter, research fellow Muriel Oddenino, marine biology graduate Federico Gualtieri, and diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti.
In a statement, the University expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims.
Initial investigations suggest that the cave entered by the divers consists of three large rooms connected by narrow passages. A follow-up dive is planned to explore additional areas of the cave system.
Monica Montefalcone's husband, Carlo Sommacal, described her diving expertise, stating she was highly competent and cautious: She would never endanger our daughter's life or that of others. He also mentioned the potential for issues with oxygen tanks, although specific causes of the accident are not yet confirmed. Dive master Maurizio Uras suggested the possibility of oxygen toxicity due to inadequate oxygen mixes at great depths could have contributed, alongside the region's strong currents.
While diving and snorkeling incidents are rare in the Maldives, there have been previous fatalities, including cases in December that saw two divers lose their lives.
