A diving expedition at the Alimatha caves in the Maldives turned fatal last week, resulting in the deaths of five Italian divers whose bodies were recovered 60 meters underwater.
The Fatal Dive Incident
The tragedy occurred during a diving trip near the Alimatha caves in the Vaavu Atoll. According to reports from the Duke of York vessel, the group failed to return to the surface as scheduled, prompting an immediate search operation.
Authorities confirmed that all five victims were recovered. Four bodies were located by a specialized team of Finnish and Maldivian divers at a depth of 60 meters, while the first body had been found shortly after the incident.
Victims and Rescue Operations
The victims included four members of the University of Genoa—Professor Monica Montefalcone, her daughter, and two researchers—along with an instructor who managed the Albatros Top company. A young student from the group survived after choosing not to participate in the dive.
A member of the Maldivian armed forces died in a hospital on Saturday due to decompression sickness while participating in the recovery efforts, which were significantly hindered by hazardous weather conditions.
Official Investigations and Safety Regulations
Investigators are examining potential causes, including equipment failure, oxygen toxicity, or disorientation. Maldivian regulations restrict recreational diving to 30 meters, but the group exceeded this depth. The government has suspended the license of the vessel involved in the excursion.
The University of Genoa stated that the dive was not an official scientific mission, and the travel agency’s legal counsel emphasized that the operator had not authorized dives beyond the 30-meter limit. Both Maldivian and Italian authorities are currently conducting formal investigations.
