Bodies of Missing Italian Divers Found in Maldives Sea Cave

The bodies of four Italian divers have been located in an underwater cave within a Maldives atoll, according to Italy’s Foreign Ministry. This discovery follows a resumed search on Monday after a pause due to the tragic death of a local military diver during a previous rescue mission.

Five Italian divers are believed to have perished last Thursday while exploring a cave at around 50 meters (160 feet) deep in Vaavu Atoll. This depth surpasses the Maldives’ recreational diving limit, set at 30 meters (98 feet). Prior to this, the body of another Italian, a diving instructor, was found outside the cave.

The search intensified with the arrival of three Finnish divers on Sunday, experts in deep and cave diving. They joined forces with Maldives police and military in a comprehensive search on Monday. Government spokesman Ahmed Shaam confirmed that the combined efforts led to the discovery of the four bodies.

Details on how the bodies were located remain unclear, whether through direct contact or by use of underwater drones. The team is now focusing on planning the recovery of the bodies from the cave system.

Earlier, Maldives presidential spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef explained that the search had initially stalled after Mohamed Mahudhee from the Maldivian National Defense Force succumbed to underwater decompression sickness. He had been transferred to a hospital in the capital before his death on Saturday.

Rescue operations faced repeated interruptions due to rough weather conditions. Initial search teams managed to dive and mark the entrance to the cave system where the tragedy occurred. The exact causes behind the deaths remain under investigation.