MALE, Maldives — Five Italian nationals have died in a scuba diving accident in the Maldives after a deep-sea exploration mission went tragically wrong in Vaavu Atoll, according to Italy’s foreign ministry and Maldivian authorities.
The foreign ministry in Rome said the divers are believed to have died while attempting to explore underwater caves at a depth of about 50 metres (164 feet). The incident occurred on Thursday morning during what was initially reported as a routine diving excursion.
Maldives military officials confirmed that one body had been recovered from a cave approximately 60 metres underwater, while the remaining four divers are believed to still be located in the same submerged area. Recovery efforts are ongoing under extremely difficult conditions.
Authorities described the search operation as “very high risk,” noting that divers equipped with specialised recovery gear had been deployed to the site. Rough weather conditions in the area, located about 100 kilometres south of the capital Malé, have further complicated rescue and recovery efforts.
A yellow weather warning had been issued for passenger boats and fishing vessels due to unstable sea conditions at the time of the incident.
Local reports indicate that the five Italians entered the water on Thursday morning aboard a diving vessel. They were reported missing after failing to resurface at the expected time, prompting an immediate alert from the vessel’s crew.
The University of Genoa later confirmed that the victims included a marine biology professor, her daughter, and two young researchers.
In a statement on X, the institution expressed its “deepest condolences,” mourning the loss of what it described as a devastating blow to the academic and scientific community.
The incident is believed to be the worst single diving tragedy in the Maldives, a nation globally known for its coral atolls and popularity as a premier diving and tourism destination.
While scuba-related fatalities remain relatively rare in the Maldives, several serious incidents have been recorded in recent years.
In December last year, an experienced British diver drowned near the island resort of Ellaidhoo, with her husband later dying after falling ill. In 2024, a Japanese lawmaker also died while snorkelling in Lhaviyani Atoll.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the latest tragedy as recovery operations proceed under challenging underwater conditions.
