Underwater tragedy in Maldives leaves families searching for answers after cave deaths

After 5 Italian divers died portion exploring a heavy underwater cave disconnected the Maldives, families of the victims are demanding answers.

Monica Montefalcone, 52, an subordinate ecology prof astatine the University of Genoa, and her daughter, Giorgia, 20, were among the dead, according to The Associated Press (AP).

"Something indispensable person happened," helium said successful a antithetic interrogation with an Italian tv station, according to AP.

Monica Montefalcone, 1 of 5 Italian scuba divers who died adjacent Alimathaa successful the Maldives archipelago portion exploring an underwater cave, is shown successful this undated photograph released by Greenpeace Italia connected May 15, 2026. (Greenpeace Italia/AP)

The victims included marine researchers and experienced divers. Among them: Monica Montefalcone, an ecology prof astatine the University of Genoa; her daughter, Giorgia Sommacal; marine biologist Federico Gualtieri; researcher Muriel Oddenino; and diving teacher Gianluca Benedetti, according to the Maldivian government.

Gianluca Benedetti was recovered dormant adjacent the cave entranceway soon aft the radical disappeared. 

Authorities judge the bodies of the 4 remaining divers are trapped heavy wrong a cave strategy astir 160 feet underwater adjacent Vaavu Atoll.

The origin of the deaths remains nether investigation.

Vaavu Atoll is simply a concatenation of islands successful the cardinal Maldives, located southwest of Sri Lanka and India.

Authorities were alerted aft the divers failed to aboveground by midday Thursday, erstwhile upwind conditions were rough, per AP.

A diving unit prepares to hunt for 4 missing Italian divers adjacent Alimathaa Island, Vaavu Atoll, Maldives, May 15, 2026. (Maldives President's Media Division/AP)

Italy's Foreign Ministry said the radical "apparently died portion attempting to research caves astatine a extent of 50 meters (164 feet)," the AP reported.

Maldivian statesmanlike spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef told reporters the cave was exceptionally dangerous.

"The cave is truthful heavy that divers adjacent with the champion instrumentality bash not effort to approach," helium said.

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Local officials described the calamity arsenic the Maldives' worst azygous diving accident.

An Italian pulmonologist told section outlet Adnkronos that the incidental "suggests a occupation with the tanks."

Officials successful the Maldives said the effort to scope the 4 missing Italian divers was suspended aft the decease of Mahdi. (Maldives National Defense Force)

Five divers dying during the aforesaid dive lawsuit suggests "not truthful overmuch a extent problem, but alternatively [an contented with] what they breathed," Claudio Micheletto, manager of pulmonology astatine the University Hospital of Verona, told Adnkronos.

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"It is apt that thing did not enactment successful the tanks," Micheletto told the section outlet. 

"The radical utilizing them could not person noticed: Checks are the work of those who nutrient and negociate the equipment."

"Italy has a precise arrogant and overmuch beloved diving civilization ... Very atrocious for the family."

Alfonso Bolognini, president of the Italian Society of Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine, said determination are respective imaginable explanations, including "an inadequate breathing substance that tin make a hyperoxic crisis," according to Adnkronos.

Bolognini besides suggested panic whitethorn person contributed to the deadly dive, according to Italian newswires.

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"Inside a cave astatine 50 meters deep, each it takes is simply a occupation for 1 relation oregon a panic onslaught for 1 diver," helium said.

"In these cases, the panic constituent could pb to adjacent fatal mistakes."

Mohamed Mahdi, a subordinate of the Maldivian National Defense Force, died from decompression sickness during the unsafe mission, officials said. (Maldives National Defense Force)

A perilous hunt for the bodies of the divers was halted Saturday aft a subject diver died during the mission.

The Italian Foreign Ministry said the cave strategy consists of 3 ample chambers connected by constrictive passages. Rescue teams explored 2 chambers Friday but were forced to halt due to the fact that of decompression risks.

Officials are present awaiting the accomplishment of 3 Finnish cave-diving specialists to reassess the operation.

Stephen Sorace of Fox News Digital, arsenic good arsenic The Associated Press, contributed reporting.