Diver dies in tragic accident during search for bodies of missing Italians who drowned in Maldives caves

A diver has died in a tragic accident during a search for the bodies of missing Italians who drowned whilst diving in the Maldives.

Sergeant Major Mohammed Mahdhee died during a recovery operation, involving eight recovery divers, in Vaavu Atoll, a division of the Maldives.

The member of the Maldivian coast guard fell ill on the mission today and died shortly after being rushed to hospital.

Maldives Presidential spokesman Mohammed Hussain Shareef said Mr Mahdhee had died of underwater decompression and emphasised how difficult the mission is.

Writing on X, the Maldivian military said: "His courage, sacrifice, and service to the nation will always be remembered. Our deepest condolences to his family and colleagues."

The recovery mission comes after five Italians died on a scuba driving trip on Thursday, exploring the caves of Vaavu Atoll at a 50m (154ft) depth.

Only one of the bodies has been recovered in one of the caves, at around a 60m (197ft) depth.

Four of the divers were from the University of Genoa, including professor of ecology Monica Montefalcone.

Among the dead was also Ms Montefalcone's daughter, Giorgia Sommacal, two researchers, Muriel Oddenino and Federico Gualtieri, and diving instructor, Gianluca Benedetti.

The University of Genoa said in a statement on X that it expressed its "deepest condolences" to the victims.

The five were among another 20 Italian nationals aboard the Duke of York yacht, who are unharmed and receiving help from the Italian Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The crew of the yacht raised the alarm when the five divers failed to resurface.

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Local police confirmed that the weather was rough in the area, with a yellow warning issued to those out on the sea.

Italy's Foreign Ministry said the yacht will return to the Maldives' capital, Male.

It also said Italy is working with Maldivian officials to search for the dead.

In order to recover the bodies, divers equipped with specialist gear were deployed to the area on what was considered a very high risk mission.

The Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu travelled to the atoll today to observe the recovery mission.

The deaths are considered to be the worst diving incident in the Maldives, which is a popular tourist destination due to its collection of islands, with Mr Mahdhee's death adding to the tragedy.

Bad weather forced the authorities to suspend the recovery mission yesterday, but it resumed today.

Italy's Foreign Ministry said earlier today: "Eight Maldivian divers are currently taking turns in the search operations.

"The first two divers have already gone underwater to locate and precisely mark the entrance to the series of caves where the Italian divers went missing.

"Six more divers will subsequently dive, in various shifts, to try to locate the bodies and bring them to the surface."