MNDF Sergeant Mahdi Honored with Italy's Highest Award for Saving Divers

Sergeant First Class Muhammad Mahdi of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), who died while searching for Italian divers missing in Vaavu Atoll, has been posthumously honored with Italy's 'Gold Medal for Civil Valor', the country's highest award. The Italian Embassy in Colombo announced the award, stating that it was granted in recognition of Mahdi's bravery and sacrifice during the operation to save the divers. In addition to the medal, the Embassy, along with the Honorary Consul Agency in Malé, has initiated a fundraising drive to support Mahdi's family. The Sergeant Mahdi Memorial Fund has been established with an account at the Maldives Islamic Bank to collect donations. The Embassy expressed gratitude for the generous contributions received for this humanitarian effort.