Final two bodies recovered from diving accident site
The joint operation between Finnish experts and local authorities to recover the bodies of five Italian tourists, who died while exploring a deep underwater cave in the Maldives, has concluded. The victims included an Italian university professor and marine biologists; tragically, an experienced MNDF diver also lost his life due to decompression sickness during the perilous recovery mission. Authorities are currently conducting a thorough investigation to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.
The bodies of Monica Montefalcone and research fellow Federico Gualtieri, who were discovered trapped inside an underwater cave, have now been recovered. | Screen image
The bodies of the final two Italian tourists who died in a tragic diving accident in the Maldives have been recovered. This brings an end to the search operations following what is considered the deadliest diving incident in the country's history.
The five victims were part of a group that dived into a deep underwater cave last week to conduct research on soft corals. The team had obtained the necessary permits to explore the area, known as Vaavu Atoll Devana Kandu, prior to the incident.
As Maldivian authorities investigate the causes of these fatalities, the inquiry includes determining whether the divers descended beyond their designated depth limits.
A President's Office official confirmed on Wednesday that the bodies of the final two divers trapped inside the cave have been located and recovered. The official further stated that all the bodies have now been transported to the mortuary in the capital, Malé City.
The group is led by 51-year-old Monica Montefalcone, a marine ecologist and professor at the University of Genoa.
While the instructor's body was recovered on Friday, the remains of the other two individuals were located on Tuesday following an operation conducted with the assistance of a team of Finnish experts.
During the search and recovery efforts on Saturday, an MNDF diver also passed away after suffering from decompression sickness.
Who were the victims?
Shareef stated that diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti's body was discovered at the entrance of the cave, while the other four Italians were believed to have been inside the cave.
The victims have been identified as Monica Montefalcone, an Associate Professor at the University of Genoa; her daughter, Giorgia Somacal; marine biologist Federico Gualtieri; and researcher Muriel Odenino.
Authorities have confirmed that the sixth diver in the group decided not to enter the water at the time the others began their dive.
According to the Italian Foreign Ministry, the group was on a diving expedition aboard a safari vessel named the "Duke of York."
The Ministry further stated that the Maldivian Red Crescent has provided psychological support to 20 Italian nationals who were aboard the vessel, adding that there have been no reports of physical injuries to any individuals.
The death of an additional individual during the operation to recover the bodies of four missing persons underscores the extreme danger and complexity of this mission.
Senior MNDF diver Sergeant Mohamed Mahdi, 43, passed away on Saturday during his second dive into the underwater cave. The deepest point of this cave reaches 230 feet below the ocean surface, a depth equivalent to the height of a 20-story building. The cave also spans approximately 200 meters in length.
"He is one of the most experienced divers. This just goes to show the sheer difficulty of this dive," Shareef said.
What happened during Monday's operation?
Maldivian divers and cave divers from the Divers Alert Network (DAN) returned to the water on Monday to conduct a safety assessment of the cave.
DAN CEO Laura Marroni told CNN that they assessed whether the site was safe, taking into account the prevailing currents and the specific formation of the cave.
During the operation, divers utilized underwater scooters and specialized high-capacity gas tanks designed for extended sub-surface endurance.
According to the President's Office, the bodies of the four Italian nationals were discovered together within the third and largest chamber of the cave. Divers reported that this section of the cave covers a significantly more extensive area than previously estimated.
This operation was a collaborative effort conducted by DAN divers, the Coast Guard, and the Police.
Regarding the execution of the operation, Moroni previously stated that he would not put the team at risk. He emphasized that if conditions deteriorate, the work will be suspended and resumed only after re-evaluating and adjusting their plans.
Maldivian military diver dies from decompression sickness
Authorities believe that MNDF diver Mahudhee passed away due to decompression sickness (DCS), a condition caused by rapid changes in pressure.
According to Harvard Health, this condition typically affects deep-sea divers. However, it can also occur when traveling to very high altitudes.
Shareef stated that based on oxygen levels and decompression protocols, a three-hour limit has been established for each dive.
However, he noted that the operation was exceptionally challenging due to the area's strong currents and the pitch-black interior of the massive cave, which can only be accessed through narrow passages.
"To undertake dives of this caliber, one must be a highly skilled expert," Shareef added.
During Saturday's operation, two divers deployed a surface marker buoy to pinpoint the cave's entrance. This allowed other divers to navigate directly to the location, maximizing their available time to conduct exploration inside the cave.
When ascending from deep waters, it is necessary to perform a decompression stop at a shallower depth.
It is believed that Mahdi passed away due to health complications encountered during this stage.
Shareef stated that Mahdi was diving in a pair according to standard procedures. He noted that when his diving partner realized something was wrong as they were ascending, the partner attempted to rescue him.
Mahdi was laid to rest in Male' with full military honors. The funeral was attended by hundreds of mourners, including senior government officials, high-ranking military officers, and members of the foreign diplomatic corps.
