Five Italian divers have died in a diving accident in the Maldives during an expedition to explore underwater caves in the Vaavu Atoll region, according to Italian authorities.
The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the deaths on Friday, stating that the group had planned a deep-sea dive at depths of around 50 meters.
The Maldives National Defense Force said rescue teams recovered one diver’s body from a cave located approximately 60 meters below the surface.
Officials believe the remaining four divers were trapped within the same cave system, prompting the deployment of additional rescue personnel and specialized equipment for what authorities described as a dangerous and high-risk recovery operation.
Italian officials stated that an expert diver from Italy was assisting Maldivian coast guard teams and rescue vessels in ongoing search efforts.
Authorities have not yet disclosed the cause of the incident, while officials in the Maldives have launched an investigation into the accident.
According to Italian media reports, four of the victims were students or employees linked to the University of Genoa.
Located in the Indian Ocean southwest of Sri Lanka, the Maldives is internationally known for its white-sand beaches, coral reefs, and popular diving destinations that attract thousands of tourists each year.
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