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A dangerous seek for the our bodies of 4 Italian divers lacking deep inside a Maldivian cave was halted Saturday after a army diver died through the mission.
Mohamed Mahdi, a member of the Maldivian National Defense Force, died from decompression illness through the harmful mission, Maldives presidential spokesman Mohamed Hussain Shareef stated.
A gaggle of 5 Italian divers vanished Thursday throughout what investigators say was an unauthorized deep dive that far exceeded the Maldives’ leisure diving restrict.
The victims included marine researchers and skilled divers, amongst them Monica Montefalcone, an ecology professor on the College of Genoa; her daughter, Giorgia Sommacal; marine biologist Federico Gualtieri; researcher Muriel Oddenino; and diving teacher Gianluca Benedetti, in accordance with the Maldivian authorities.
Mohamed Mahdi, a member of the Maldivian Nationwide Protection Pressure, died from decompression illness through the harmful mission, officers stated. (Maldives Nationwide Protection Pressure)
Gianluca Benedetti was discovered lifeless close to the cave entrance shortly after the group disappeared. Authorities consider the our bodies of the 4 remaining divers are trapped deep inside a cave system about 160 toes underwater close to Vaavu Atoll.
The reason for the deaths stays beneath investigation.
Monica Montefalcone, certainly one of 5 Italian scuba divers who died close to Alimathaa within the Maldives archipelago whereas exploring an underwater cave, is proven on this undated picture launched by Greenpeace Italia on Could 15, 2026. (Greenpeace Italia/AP)
Carlo Sommacal, Montefalcone’s husband and Giorgia’s father, expressed doubts over the accident, saying that “one thing should have occurred down there” given his spouse and daughter’s in depth expertise.
Chatting with Italian TV, he described Montefalcone as a cautious and extremely disciplined diver who would by no means put her daughter or different colleagues in danger.
Search crews say brutal underwater situations, restricted oxygen and the complexity of the cave system have made recovery efforts extremely dangerous.
Divers put together to seek for 4 lacking Italian divers close to Alimathaa Island, Vaavu Atoll, Maldives, on Could 15, 2026. (Maldives President’s Media Division/AP)
“The loss of life goes to point out the problem of the mission,” a authorities spokesman stated after Mahdi’s loss of life.
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The Italian International Ministry stated the cave system consists of three giant chambers related by slender passages. Rescue groups explored two chambers Friday however had been pressured to cease due to decompression dangers.
Officers at the moment are awaiting the arrival of three Finnish cave-diving specialists to reassess the operation.
Officers within the Maldives stated the trouble to achieve the 4 lacking Italian divers was suspended after the loss of life of Mahdi. (Maldives Nationwide Protection Pressure)
Albatros Prime Boat, an Italian tour operator that managed the diving journey, denied authorizing the descent and stated the divers gave the impression to be utilizing normal leisure gear as an alternative of specialised gear required for technical cave diving, its lawyer instructed Italian each day Corriere della Sera on Saturday.
The Maldives Tourism Ministry has suspended the working license of the expedition vessel concerned within the journey because the investigation continues.
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Consultants warn cave diving is among the many world’s most dangerous underwater activities, particularly at excessive depths the place visibility can disappear immediately and escape routes grow to be restricted.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
