Bodies of Four Italian Divers to Return Home Following Vaavu Atoll Tragedy

The bodies of four Italian divers who perished during a cave-diving excursion in Vaavu Atoll will be repatriated to Italy on May 23. The recovery operation, which concluded after several days of intense search efforts, follows a tragic accident that claimed the lives of a diving instructor and four divers on May 14. While the first victim was recovered on the day of the disappearance, the remaining bodies were located within the cave system on May 18. This success was the result of a coordinated effort between the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Coast Guard, the Maldives Police Service, and a team of experienced foreign divers coordinated by the Italian government. Recovery teams successfully retrieved two bodies on May 19, with the final two recovered on May 20. The operation took a further toll on rescue personnel, as a Maldivian military diver also lost his life during the search and recovery mission. Three Finnish divers also provided critical expertise to assist in the operation. Chief Government Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef told PSM News that post-mortem examinations will be conducted in Italy. The findings from these reports will be shared with Maldivian investigators to help determine the exact cause of the accident. DAN Europe, the international organization that supported the mission, confirmed that the final phase of the operation focused on removing temporary guide lines and equipment used during the recovery. This 'clean-up' process ensured that no equipment was left behind and that all items relevant to the investigation were handed over to the Maldives Police Service. According to DAN Europe, the operation adhered to international best practices to minimize environmental impact, ensuring that the delicate cave ecosystem remained undisturbed. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths remains ongoing.