Husband of marine biologist who died in diving accident: "My wife was among the best divers in the world"
The Coast Guard has launched a high-risk recovery operation to retrieve the bodies of five Italian divers who died while exploring a deep underwater cave in Vaavu Atoll. The victims include a renowned marine biology professor and his son, and the government is currently investigating reports that the group exceeded authorized diving depths. Despite the ongoing efforts, recovery teams are facing significant challenges due to deteriorating weather conditions at the site.
The victim of this incident has been identified as Monica Montefalcone, an Associate Professor of Ecology at the University of Genoa in Italy. | AP
The husband of the marine biologist who died in a diving accident in the Maldives last Thursday has described his wife as one of the most skilled divers in the world.
Authorities have confirmed that five Italians died on Thursday during a dive to explore an underwater cave.
The group dived to explore a series of caves at a depth of 50 to 60 meters in Vaavu Atoll, located approximately 64 kilometers (40 miles) from the capital, Malé.
The individuals were reported missing after they failed to surface and contact could not be established.
The victims of this incident include a well-known TV personality and 51-year-old Monica Montefalcone, a professor of Tropical Marine Ecology and Underwater Science at the University of Genoa. Her 22-year-old daughter, Giorgia Somacal, also lost her life in the tragedy. In the wake of the devastating event, Monica’s husband and Giorgia’s father, Carlo Somacal, described his wife as one of the world’s most skilled divers, insisting she would never have jeopardized anyone's safety. Speaking to the newspaper *La Repubblica* on Friday, he maintained that she would not have put their daughter’s life or anyone else’s at risk, suggesting that something must have gone wrong while they were underwater.
"Perhaps one of them encountered a problem, or there was an issue with an oxygen tank; I simply don't know," he said.
Furthermore, it has been revealed that a sixth individual was scheduled to join the dive but decided not to enter the water at the last minute. According to a report by *La Repubblica*, the specific reason for this decision remains unclear. Authorities stated that the group was part of a larger diving expedition. They were attempting to explore caves known for strong currents and challenging underwater passages. It is estimated that approximately 20 people were aboard the safari vessel used for the trip.
Immediately following the incident, rescue teams arrived at the diving site located near Alimatha. While one body has been recovered from an underwater cave, it is believed that the remaining four individuals are still trapped inside.
The spokesperson for the Maldivian government, Mohamed Hussain Shareef, stated that the cave is so deep that even divers equipped with the most advanced gear do not dare to approach it.
Regarding the incident, he stated that a separate investigation will be conducted into how the divers exceeded the authorized depth limits; however, the primary focus at this time remains the search and rescue efforts. The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Coast Guard has launched a high-stakes operation to locate the missing individuals, deploying specialist divers, surface vessels, and aerial support. However, the mission has faced greater challenges than anticipated due to deteriorating weather conditions in the area, characterized by strong winds and an active Yellow Alert.
The victims of this incident have been identified as Monica and her daughter, Giorgia Somacal, alongside researcher Muriel Odenino, marine scientist Federico Gualtieri, and dive operator Gianluca Benedetti.
