Finnish divers reveal details of operation to recover bodies from underwater cave

DAN Europe has confirmed in a statement that the international mission conducted in collaboration with Maldivian and Italian authorities to recover the remains of all victims from the diving accident in the southern waters of Vaavu Atoll has been successfully concluded.

Wednesday's operation followed a technical dive by a Finnish recovery team into the cave where the incident occurred, marking the conclusion of the primary phase of the body recovery effort. The operation was conducted through a joint effort between the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) and the Police, maintained in constant coordination with Italian authorities stationed in Male'.

With favorable sea conditions on Wednesday morning, the team was able to conduct the dive as planned without any complications. As in previous days, three divers descended into the cave with specific assigned responsibilities. These tasks included recovering the bodies, overseeing the safety protocols of the operation, and documenting the underwater site and the progress of the recovery efforts.

The operation, which lasted approximately three hours, was conducted using advanced technical diving systems, including Closed Circuit Rebreathers (CCR) and Diver Propulsion Vehicles (DPV). These specialized tools are specifically designed for operations in deep water and overhead environments.

The most critical task assigned to two members of the team during this operation was to retrieve the remaining bodies through the narrow passages of the cave, ensuring no further damage to the remains while prioritizing the safety of the divers. Despite facing significant challenges during the process, the team managed to navigate them successfully. A third diver oversaw the safety protocols of the operation and video-recorded the entire mission in accordance with international cave diving standards.

First and foremost, we extend our deepest condolences to the families of the divers who lost their lives in this tragic incident. We responded to the call for assistance during this difficult time with a sincere commitment to help. After a three-day operation, the bodies of all the missing divers have now been recovered, and efforts are currently underway to repatriate them to their home country.

We extend our sincere gratitude to DAN Europe, the Embassy of Italy, the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), the Maldives Police Service, and all the volunteers who assisted us. This achievement would not have been possible without your invaluable support.

"We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who sent us messages of support and encouragement." — Finnish Rescue Team (Sami Parkkinen, Jenny Westlund, Patrik Grönqvist)

Although the primary phase of recovering the bodies has been completed, the mission is not yet over. The final dive of the operation is expected to take place sometime tomorrow. In accordance with international protocols, divers will return to the site to retrieve equipment used inside the cave and ensure the area is cleared to preserve its natural environment. As the investigation into the incident continues, this stage remains a crucial part of the process.

Furthermore, the team will work to map and document additional sections of the cave. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive data to the relevant authorities of the Maldivian government.

Throughout the mission, DAN Europe repeatedly emphasized that two core priorities guided every decision and communication. These were the safety of the recovery team and maintaining the utmost respect for the deceased and their grieving families.