Bodies of Four Missing Italian Divers Found After Extensive Search Operation

The Maldivian authorities in an intensive multi-day search and recovery operation have successfully located the bodies of four missing Italian nationals who went missing during a diving excursion in Vaavu Atoll last week. 

The successful location of the victims followed a complex operation that involved Coastguard and Police divers, international expertise, and the dedication of Maldivian search teams who worked tirelessly across challenging underwater terrain. 

The operation, however, has been overshadowed by the tragic death of a Maldivian defence force officer who lost his life while actively participating in the search efforts, highlighting the inherent dangers faced by first responders in the line of duty.

The incident occurred on 14 May, when five Italian nationals embarked on a diving trip in the waters surrounding Vaavu Atoll. Initial reports of the missing divers prompted an immediate response from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which moved swiftly to coordinate with the Ministry of Defence and National Service, specifically the Coast Guard of the Maldives National Defence Force, as well as the Ministry of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology, the Maldives Police Service, the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, and the Attorney General's office. 

The Chief Government Spokesperson also engaged in the coordination efforts, while parallel communications were established with the Government of Italy to address the situation at the earliest possible moment.

Recognising the urgency of the situation, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu demonstrated the highest level of governmental commitment by personally visiting the site on Friday, accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Iruthisham Adam. During the presidential visit, the leader received a comprehensive briefing on the ongoing search operations from the teams actively engaged in the recovery efforts. The President assured that the search operation would be accorded the highest priority and that all necessary support from the Government would be extended to ensure the most favorable outcome possible under the circumstances.

Search operations continued in accordance with the established operational procedures, rules, and code of conduct of the MNDF Coast Guard, with teams working around the clock in hopes of locating the missing divers. However, the operation suffered a devastating blow when MNDF Staff Sergeant Mohamed Mahudhee, who was actively involved in the search operation, tragically lost his life during the course of the efforts. The suspension of the search operation following this loss represented a moment of profound mourning across the nation.

The government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in close coordination with the Embassy of Italy in the Maldives, took immediate steps to enhance the search capabilities by facilitating the arrival of specialised international expertise. 

A team of three Finnish expert divers from the DAN Europe Foundation, an organisation renowned for its diving safety and emergency response capabilities, arrived in the  Maldives on 17 May. The arrival of these specialists provided a significant boost to the ongoing efforts, bringing international best practices and additional technical capabilities to complement the work of the MNDF Coast Guard and relevant Maldivian authorities.

The coordinated joint search and recovery operation conducted by the MNDF Coast Guard, the Maldives Police Service, and the DAN Europe Foundation divers culminated on Monday with the successful location of the bodies of the four missing Italian divers inside an underwater cave system in Vaavu Atoll. 

Recovery dives to retrieve the victims' remains are expected to be conducted in the coming days, pending appropriate preparation and safety assessments of the challenging underwater environment.