Govt commends responders after Vaavu cave tragedy that claimed six lives including MNDF officer

The Maldives government commended the army and police for their involvement in a special diving operation following the deaths of five Italian divers inside an underwater cave in Vaavu Atoll. The operation was launched after five tourists went missing while diving from a safari near Vaavu Atoll on May 14, 2026. An MNDF Coast Guard Staff Sergeant, Mohamed Mahudhy, died during the operation. Home Minister Ali Ihusaan and Defense Minister Hassan Rasheed represented the President at a ceremony to acknowledge the responders. Foreign experts, including three Finnish specialists, assisted in the search. The bodies were recovered from V. Alimatha Cave on May 20. Italian President Sergio Mattarella awarded the three Finnish divers the Order of Merit for their efforts.

The Maldives government commended the army and police for their involvement in a special diving operation following the deaths of five Italian divers inside an underwater cave in Vaavu Atoll. The operation was launched after five tourists went missing while diving from a safari near Vaavu Atoll on May 14, 2026. An MNDF Coast Guard Staff Sergeant, Mohamed Mahudhy, died during the operation. Home Minister Ali Ihusaan and Defense Minister Hassan Rasheed represented the President at a ceremony to acknowledge the responders. Foreign experts, including three Finnish specialists, assisted in the search. The bodies were recovered from V. Alimatha Cave on May 20. Italian President Sergio Mattarella awarded the three Finnish divers the Order of Merit for their efforts.

The Maldives government commended the army and police for their involvement in a special diving operation following the deaths of five Italian divers inside an underwater cave in Vaavu Atoll. The operation was launched after five tourists went missing while diving from a safari near Vaavu Atoll on May 14, 2026. An MNDF Coast Guard Staff Sergeant, Mohamed Mahudhy, died during the operation. Home Minister Ali Ihusaan and Defense Minister Hassan Rasheed represented the President at a ceremony to acknowledge the responders. Foreign experts, including three Finnish specialists, assisted in the search. The bodies were recovered from V. Alimatha Cave on May 20. Italian President Sergio Mattarella awarded the three Finnish divers the Order of Merit for their efforts.

This story involves 1 source and may affect public understanding of diving accident / mndf.