Maldives Diving Tragedy Exposes Regulatory Gaps as Nation Mourns Six Lives Lost

On 14 May 2026, five Italian divers died in an underwater cave system (Devana Kandu) off Vaavu Atoll while diving from the luxury liveaboard Duke of York. A Maldivian military rescue diver, Sergeant-Major Mohamed Mahudhee, later died of decompression illness. The victims included Gianluca Benedetti, Professor Monica Montefalcone, Giorgia Sommacal, Federico Gualtieri, and Muriel Oddenino. The government spokesman Mohamed Hussain Shareef confirmed a permit for soft-coral research but said they were unaware of cave diving. The vessel lacked a required dive school permit, and the Tourism Ministry suspended its licence. President Mohamed Muizzu visited the site and attended the funeral. Questions about certification and regulatory gaps have been raised.

On 14 May 2026, five Italian divers died in an underwater cave system (Devana Kandu) off Vaavu Atoll while diving from the luxury liveaboard Duke of York. A Maldivian military rescue diver, Sergeant-Major Mohamed Mahudhee, later died of decompression illness. The victims included Gianluca Benedetti, Professor Monica Montefalcone, Giorgia Sommacal, Federico Gualtieri, and Muriel Oddenino. The government spokesman Mohamed Hussain Shareef confirmed a permit for soft-coral research but said they were unaware of cave diving. The vessel lacked a required dive school permit, and the Tourism Ministry suspended its licence. President Mohamed Muizzu visited the site and attended the funeral. Questions about certification and regulatory gaps have been raised.

On 14 May 2026, five Italian divers died in an underwater cave system (Devana Kandu) off Vaavu Atoll while diving from the luxury liveaboard Duke of York. A Maldivian military rescue diver, Sergeant-Major Mohamed Mahudhee, later died of decompression illness. The victims included Gianluca Benedetti, Professor Monica Montefalcone, Giorgia Sommacal, Federico Gualtieri, and Muriel Oddenino. The government spokesman Mohamed Hussain Shareef confirmed a permit for soft-coral research but said they were unaware of cave diving. The vessel lacked a required dive school permit, and the Tourism Ministry suspended its licence. President Mohamed Muizzu visited the site and attended the funeral. Questions about certification and regulatory gaps have been raised.

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