"The dive exceeded the Maldivian recreational diving limit of 30 meters... Diving at depths beyond 40 meters is classified as 'technical diving,' which typically requires specialized training, equipment, and gas blends."
Tragedy in the Maldives: Five Italian Divers and a Military Rescuer Dead
A series of diving accidents in the Maldives has resulted in the deaths of five Italian nationals and one Maldivian military diver. The incident began on May 14, 2026, with body recovery operations concluding one week later, on May 20. Italian authorities have confirmed the repatriation of the remains, and investigations into the incident have been initiated by Maldivian authorities.
Incident Timeline
Disappearance and Initial Discovery (May 14)
A group of five Italian divers was exploring an underwater cave system at a depth of approximately 50 meters in the Vaavu Atoll, off the island of Alimathaa. The recreational diving limit enforced in the Maldives is 30 meters. After the group failed to return, a search was initiated. The body of Gianluca Benedetti, the group’s diving instructor, was recovered on the same day near the mouth of the cave.
Search and First Casualty (May 15–18)
Rough seas and adverse weather conditions repeatedly hampered recovery efforts. On May 15, eight divers from the Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF) participated in the search, working in pairs to map the cave. The cave system consists of three large chambers connected by narrow passages. Recovery teams explored two chambers on Friday.
On May 16, the operation was suspended after a Maldivian military diver, Sergeant Major Mohamed Mahudhee, died from decompression sickness after being transported to a hospital. Spokesman Mohamed Hussain Shareef stated that Mahudhee’s death illustrated the difficulty of the mission. He received a military funeral.
International Assistance and Body Location (May 17–18)
Three Finnish diving experts, deployed by the Divers' Alert Network Europe, arrived in the Maldives on May 17 to assist in recovery planning. On May 18, the search resumed and the bodies of the four missing Italian divers were located in the third and innermost chamber of the cave, at a depth reported by some sources as approximately 60 meters (200 feet).
Recovery of Remains (May 19–20)
The Finnish team, using closed-circuit rebreathers for extended dive times, began recovery operations.
- On May 19, two of the four bodies were recovered.
- On May 20, the final two bodies were recovered from the cave. Government spokesperson Ahmed Shaam confirmed the four bodies were found "pretty much together."
Victims
The five Italian divers have been identified as:
- Monica Montefalcone, 51–52, associate professor of ecology at the University of Genoa.
- Giorgia Sommacal, 20, her daughter and a biomedical engineering student at the University of Genoa.
- Muriel Oddenino, 31, a research assistant at the University of Genoa.
- Federico Gualtieri, 31, a recent master's graduate in marine ecology from the University of Genoa.
- Gianluca Benedetti, 44, a diving instructor and dive operator.
According to the University of Genoa, Montefalcone and Oddenino were in the Maldives on an official scientific mission to monitor marine environments, but the fatal dive was a private activity and was not part of the planned research.
A Maldivian military diver, Sergeant Major Mohamed Mahudhee, 44, also died during the search operation.
"The four bodies were found 'pretty much together.'" — Government spokesperson Ahmed Shaam
Cave and Diving Details
Recovery teams and government officials described the cave system as containing three large chambers connected by narrow passages. The entrance is located at a depth of approximately 55–60 meters. The cave has been characterized by strong currents, poor visibility due to sediment, and challenging terrain which has previously been dived by experts.
The dive exceeded the Maldivian recreational diving limit of 30 meters (98 feet). Diving at depths beyond 40 meters is classified as "technical diving," which typically requires specialized training, equipment, and gas blends (such as Trimix) to mitigate risks.
Investigation
Multiple investigations are underway.
- The Maldives Tourism Ministry suspended the operating license of the vessel "Duke of York," which carried the expedition, pending an investigation.
- The Maldives President's Spokesman confirmed that two investigations have been initiated: one into the deaths of the five Italian divers and another into the death of the Maldivian military diver.
- Italy has agreed to share findings from autopsies on the repatriated bodies as part of the investigation. Autopsies are scheduled to begin on Monday, May 25.
Statements and Context
- The Maldives government confirmed the divers had a permit for research on soft corals, but stated the exact location of the cave was not disclosed in the proposal. Authorities said they were unaware that the research involved cave diving.
- The tour operator, Albatros Top Boat, stated it did not authorize or know about the deep dive, and that the equipment used was standard recreational gear.
- Around 20 other Italians on the same expedition are safe. Italy's embassy in Colombo is providing consular assistance.
- Maldivian authorities described the incident as the deadliest single diving event in the country's history.