5 Italian tourists die after exploring underwater caves in Maldives – National
Five Italian tourists died in a scuba diving accident in the Maldives, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rome.
The tourists were in Vaavu Atoll, trying to explore the 50-meter deep caves, the ministry said in a press release.
The investigation into the incident is still being conducted by the Maldivian authorities and the embassy is contacting the families of the victims to provide all necessary diplomatic assistance, the ministry said.
“The Italian Embassy in Colombo is also in contact with DAN, an insurance provider specializing in the provision of divers. DAN plans to coordinate with the local authorities to provide support both in the recovery of the bodies, providing its technical expertise, and their recovery,” said the ministry.
The insurance provider also provided the assistance of technical experts to contribute to a better understanding of the circumstances of the incident, according to the department.
“Four other divers are believed to be in the same cave where the first body was found, which reaches a depth of 60 meters,” the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) said in a statement sent by the Italian news agency ANSA.
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The MNDF said the ongoing operation was “high risk” and involved specialized divers, ships and air support.
The University of Genoa (UniGe) said the victims included Monica Montefalcone, 51, associate professor of ecology in the department of earth, environmental and life sciences; his daughter Giorgia Sommacal, 22, UniGe student in biomedical engineering; Muriel Oddenino, 31, fellow researcher at DISTAV; and Federico Gualtieri, a recent UniGe master’s degree in marine biology and ecology.
“The entire university community extends its condolences to his family, colleagues, and students who shared his personal and professional journey,” the university’s statement added.
It was also reported that the fifth person was Gianluca Benedetti, manager and diving instructor of Albatros Top Boat, a tour operator with offices in Verbania and the Maldives, according to the Genoa newspaper Il Secolo XIX.
Five divers are believed to have been exploring the cave when they went missing, according to the Maldivian president’s spokesman, Mohamed Hussain Shareef.
“The cave is so deep that even the best equipment divers don’t try to get close,” he told the Associated Press.
The group had been surfing in the morning near Alimathaa and was reported missing after not arriving at noon on Thursday, the weather was described as bad at that time.
The Italian embassy in Colombo arrived in Malé on Friday to meet the officials and the rescue ships of the Maldivian Coast Guard, as well as the police and an Italian expert on foot, who arrived at the scene where five divers lost their lives.
The Italian embassy in Colombo said it is providing assistance to 20 other Italians aboard the Duke of York, who took part in the trip with the five tourists who died.
“The Embassy has been in contact with the Red Crescent, which is dedicated to sending trained volunteers to provide Psychological First Aid to the Italians who are still on board the Duke of York, where there have been no reported injuries,” the Department said. “However, due to the bad weather, it is not yet clear whether they will be able to reach the ship in a difficult situation, for now it has moved to look for a safe harbor.”
The ship is currently awaiting an improvement in the weather to return to Malé.
Anna Maria Bernini, Italy’s university and research minister, said the tragedy that struck the University of Genoa “has deeply shaken the Italian academic community.”
“There is pain in the face when words are not enough. At this moment, I convey my sincere thoughts to the families, colleagues, students and the entire community of the Genoese University, affected by a loss that leaves us sad,” Bernini wrote in the X post.
Cave diving is a dangerous and highly technical activity that requires special equipment and training, as well as strict adherence to very specific safety rules. Even venturing into deep underwater caves can pose serious risks.
— via files from The Associated Press
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