British couple who visited Maldives over 60 times die after diving incident

A British couple who had vacationed in the Maldives on more than 60 occasions have died following an incident that occurred while diving.

According to a report by the UK’s Daily Mail, 70-year-old Elaine Richmond passed away on 19 December 2025 while diving near Ellaidhoo island in Alif Dhaal atoll. Her husband, 71-year-old Malcolm Richmond, died three days later, on 22 December 2025, while receiving treatment at a hospital.

The Daily Mail reported that the exact cause of the incident remains unclear, and no further details regarding the circumstances have been disclosed to date.

The couple were well-known and respected members of a community known as Maldives Holidaymakers and were frequent guests at the Ellaidhoo Maldives by Cinnamon resort. Reports indicate that they had visited the resort more than 60 times and had spent the Christmas holidays there consistently for the past 17 years.

Tributes shared in the Maldives Holidaymakers Facebook group conveyed deep sorrow over the deaths of Elaine and Malcolm Richmond, describing them as two of the group’s closest members who passed away during their Christmas holiday in the Maldives.

An inquest to establish the circumstances surrounding their deaths is scheduled to take place at Chesterfield Coroner’s Court on January 30.

Ellaidhoo, located approximately 42 kilometers, or 26 miles, from Malé City, is a popular destination among tourists, particularly within the diving community.

To date, neither the resort management nor relevant government authorities have issued an official statement regarding the incident.