Overview
- Authorities have recovered two of the four bodies found inside the Vaavu/Alimathaa cave, with two more still in the system, according to Maldivian media reports confirmed by Italian officials.
- The four victims were first located Monday during a joint operation by the Maldives National Defence Force, police, and an expert team arranged by Italy.
- Earlier efforts recovered the Italian instructor near the cave entrance and cost a Maldivian military diver his life from decompression sickness during the search.
- DAN Europe and Finnish cave-diving specialists are aiding a high‑risk operation in chambers roughly 50 to 60 meters down that connect through tight passages.
- Local investigators are examining whether the group exceeded permitted depths and lacked required technical cave gear, as relatives and colleagues mourn victims including University of Genoa professor Monica Montefalcone and her daughter.