Five Italian Divers Die Exploring Underwater Caves in Maldives

Five Italian divers died in a cave diving accident near Alimathaa Island in Vaavu Atoll on Thursday, May 14, 2026. Victims include Monica Montefalcone (associate professor of ecology at University of Genoa), her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, Muriel Oddenino, Gianluca Benedetti, and Federico Gualtieri. They were diving from the liveaboard Duke of York. The Maldives National Defence Force conducted a search; first body recovered at 6:13 p.m. Weather was rough with winds 25-30 mph. Investigation ongoing.

Five Italian divers died in a cave diving accident near Alimathaa Island in Vaavu Atoll on Thursday, May 14, 2026. Victims include Monica Montefalcone (associate professor of ecology at University of Genoa), her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, Muriel Oddenino, Gianluca Benedetti, and Federico Gualtieri. They were diving from the liveaboard Duke of York. The Maldives National Defence Force conducted a search; first body recovered at 6:13 p.m. Weather was rough with winds 25-30 mph. Investigation ongoing.

Five Italian divers died in a cave diving accident near Alimathaa Island in Vaavu Atoll on Thursday, May 14, 2026. Victims include Monica Montefalcone (associate professor of ecology at University of Genoa), her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, Muriel Oddenino, Gianluca Benedetti, and Federico Gualtieri. They were diving from the liveaboard Duke of York. The Maldives National Defence Force conducted a search; first body recovered at 6:13 p.m. Weather was rough with winds 25-30 mph. Investigation ongoing.

This story involves 1 source and may affect public understanding of cave diving / fatalities.