Overview
- Maldives search teams on Friday continued a high‑risk operation after Thursday’s deep‑cave dive, recovering one body at about 60 meters and saying four others are likely in the same cave.
- The dead include University of Genoa professor Monica Montefalcone, her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, researchers Muriel Oddenino and Federico Gualtieri, and diving instructor and boat manager Gianluca Benedetti.
- Maldivian coastguard and defense forces have deployed boats, aircraft and specialist divers, with an Italian ambassador and expert diver assisting as rough weather and poor visibility slow access.
- Italy’s foreign ministry says the group apparently tried to explore caves around 50 meters deep, a range that exceeds the Maldives’ 30‑meter recreational limit and raises risks like disorientation and rapid air use in tight tunnels.
- The divers entered the water from the Duke of York liveaboard near Alimathaa, the cause of death remains under investigation, and Italian officials and DAN are aiding families, recovery planning and eventual repatriation.