MALE, Maldives — Authorities in Maldives have confirmed the discovery of the bodies of four Italian divers who went missing during a scuba diving accident in Vaavu Atoll last week.
The recovery operation was carried out by a joint team of highly trained Finnish and Maldivian divers, according to local officials.
The bodies were found inside a cave about 60 metres underwater, near the site where a fifth diver’s body had earlier been recovered shortly after the incident on Thursday.
A rescue diver involved in the search mission also died on Saturday during recovery efforts, further deepening the tragedy.
Mohamed Hossain Shareef, a spokesperson for the Maldivian government, confirmed the latest recovery operation in a statement to the BBC.
“Further dives are to be carried out in the coming days to recover the bodies,” Shareef said.
University Team Among Victims
Reports indicate that four of the Italian nationals were part of a research team from the University of Genoa.
The victims included ecology professor Monica Montefalcone, her daughter, and two researchers affiliated with the institution.
Authorities believe the bodies were located in the same underwater cave where military divers had previously recovered the first victim.
Investigators have not yet released details on what caused the diving accident, though recovery teams have described the underwater conditions as difficult and dangerous.
Worst Diving Tragedy in the Maldives
The incident is believed to be the deadliest single scuba diving accident in the Maldives in recent years.
The island nation is internationally known as a major tourist destination because of its coral reefs, diving sites, and luxury resorts.
Scuba diving remains one of the country’s most popular tourism activities, attracting thousands of international visitors annually.
The deaths have shocked both Italy and the Maldives, with tributes continuing to pour in for the victims.
Italian authorities are reportedly coordinating with Maldivian officials and the victims’ families as recovery operations continue.
