On May 23, 2026, the remains of four Italian divers, who died during a dive in the Maldives, were returned to Italy. A Maldivian government spokesperson confirmed the early Saturday repatriation.
The tragic incident occurred on May 14 when five Italian divers disappeared while exploring a cave located 160 feet underwater in Vaavu Atoll. Their instructor’s body was found outside the cave shortly after and was previously sent back to Italy.
The recovery mission encountered significant challenges. It was initially halted after the death of Mohamed Mahudhee, a Maldivian military diver involved in the effort. Later, three Finnish expert divers joined the mission and successfully recovered the bodies last week in the innermost chamber, at a depth of about 200 feet (60 meters). The Maldives generally limits recreational diving to approximately 98 feet (30 meters).
According to Maldives President’s Spokesman Mohamed Hussain Shareef, separate investigations have commenced into the divers’ deaths and Mahudhee’s fatal accident. Italy has agreed to share any autopsy findings from the repatriated bodies. Photographs captured responders transferring the bodies from a boat to an ambulance in Male on May 19.
The deceased were identified as Monica Montefalcone, a professor at the University of Genoa; her daughter, Giorgia Sommacal; marine biologist Federico Gualtieri; researcher Muriel Oddenino; and diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti. A government spokesperson, Ahmed Shaam, noted that their bodies were discovered “pretty much together.” Italy’s La Repubblica reported their location was in a dead-end chamber deep within the cave.
DAN Europe’s CEO, a Finnish group involved in the recovery, indicated the group likely became disoriented within the cave. Due to their limited air supply, there was insufficient time to make several attempts at finding the exit, according to Marroni’s statement.
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