Five Italians have died in a scuba diving accident in the Maldives, as confirmed by the foreign ministry in Rome. The divers are believed to have drowned while exploring underwater caves at a depth of 50 meters in Vaavu Atoll.
Four of the victims were affiliated with the University of Genoa, including ecology professor Monica Montefalcone, her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, and two researchers. The fifth victim is identified as Gianluca Benedetti, a diving instructor.
The Maldives military reported that one body was found approximately 60 meters underwater, with search operations ongoing for the remaining four. Additional divers equipped for such depths have been deployed, but the operation is considered extremely risky.
Italy’s officials are cooperating with Maldivian authorities in the search and recovery efforts. Among the remaining passengers aboard the Duke of York yacht, from which the divers embarked, are 20 Italian nationals who have since been accounted for and offered assistance from the embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
This tragic incident marks one of the worst single diving accidents in the Maldives, known for its coral islands and diving tourism. The Italic divers reportedly entered the water on Thursday morning, and concerns about their safety arose when they failed to resurface.
Bad weather conditions were reported in the area, which is about 100km south of Male, prompting the issuance of warnings for passenger boats and fishermen during this time.
The University of Genoa has expressed its condolences, mourning the loss of its faculty and students, emphasizing the professionalism and preparedness of those involved in the dive. Investigations are ongoing, focusing on potential oxygen toxicity from deep dives and the rough environmental conditions in the Indian Ocean.
