Five Italian Divers Die Exploring Underwater Cave In Maldives’ Vaavu Atoll

Italian authorities and Maldivian rescue teams are investigating a fatal scuba diving accident in the Maldives that claimed the lives of five Italian nationals during a deep underwater cave exploration in Vaavu Atoll. The victims included a marine ecology professor, her daughter, two researchers and a veteran diving instructor.

The group reportedly disappeared on Thursday morning after descending nearly 50 metres into an underwater cave system near Alimatha Island, about 100 km south of Malé. Rescue operations have been hampered by rough sea conditions and the dangerous nature of the cave network.

University Team Among The Victims

The victims have been identified as Monica Montefalcone, a professor of ecology at the University of Genoa; her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, a student; research fellow Muriel Oddenino; marine biology graduate Federico Gualtieri; and diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti, who also managed boat operations for the expedition.

The group had travelled aboard the diving yacht Duke of York along with around 20 other Italian nationals, all of whom were reported safe. A sixth diver from the university team narrowly escaped the tragedy after deciding not to enter the water at the last minute.

The Maldives National Defence Force confirmed that one body was recovered from a cave nearly 60 metres underwater, while the remaining four divers are believed to still be trapped inside the cave system. Specialised rescue divers equipped for deep cave operations have been deployed, though officials described the mission as “extremely high risk”.

Rough Weather And Dangerous Cave Conditions

Authorities said the divers failed to resurface after entering a cave network believed to consist of three large chambers connected by narrow underwater passages. Initial rescue dives explored two of the chambers, while further operations are expected to continue as weather conditions improve.

Police in the Maldives said sea conditions in the area were rough at the time of the dive. A yellow weather warning had already been issued for fishermen and passenger vessels operating in the region due to strong currents and unstable conditions in the Indian Ocean.

Italy’s foreign ministry stated that embassy officials in Colombo, Sri Lanka, were coordinating closely with Maldivian authorities and assisting survivors aboard the yacht, which remains at sea waiting for calmer weather before returning to Malé.

The tragedy is being described as one of the deadliest single scuba diving accidents in the Maldives, a destination globally known for diving tourism and coral reef expeditions.

Experts Point To Oxygen Toxicity And Panic

While investigations are ongoing, diving experts have suggested oxygen toxicity may have played a role in the incident. Dive master Maurizio Uras said that oxygen can become toxic at extreme depths if the breathing gas mixture is not calibrated correctly.

Pulmonologist Claudio Micheletto described hyperoxia, or oxygen toxicity, as one of the most dangerous medical emergencies that can occur underwater. Experts also noted that panic inside confined cave environments can quickly escalate into fatal situations, particularly at depths of around 50 metres.

Alfonso Bolognini, president of the Italian Society of Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine, said even a minor technical issue or panic attack in such conditions could trigger a chain reaction underwater.

Monica Montefalcone’s husband, Carlo Sommacal, said his wife was an experienced and meticulous diver who would never knowingly place others at risk. “Maybe something happened with the oxygen tanks,” he said, while awaiting further answers from investigators.

Scuba diving accidents remain relatively uncommon in the Maldives, though the country has recorded several fatalities involving tourists in recent years, including diving and snorkelling incidents across popular atolls.

In December last year, a seasoned British diver lost her life in a scuba diving accident near the island resort of Ellaidhoo, while her husband passed away five days later after reportedly falling ill. Earlier in 2024, a Japanese politician also died during a snorkelling excursion in Lhaviyani Atoll.

(With inputs from various sources)

FAQs

1. Where did the Maldives diving accident happen?

The accident occurred near Alimatha Island in Vaavu Atoll, around 100 km south of Malé in the Maldives.

2. How many people died in the Maldives cave diving tragedy?

Five Italian nationals, including researchers and a diving instructor, died during the underwater cave exploration.

3. What may have caused the scuba diving accident in Maldives?

Experts suspect oxygen toxicity, panic inside confined cave spaces, strong currents, and technical complications may have contributed.

4. Why are underwater cave dives considered dangerous?

Cave diving involves confined spaces, limited visibility, extreme depths, and difficult escape routes, making emergencies highly risky underwater.

5. Is scuba diving in the Maldives generally safe?

Scuba diving in the Maldives is usually considered safe, but deep dives, cave exploration, and rough weather conditions significantly increase risks.