Alimathaa - RajjeViyu

Maldives Republic | 1 month ago | urgent

Expert Divers Locate Bodies of Four Missing Italians in Cave

Three Finnish cave divers recovered the bodies of four Italian scuba divers who went missing on Thursday during a deep cave dive in Vaavu Atoll. The bodies were found inside an underwater cave. The Finnish divers, Sami Paakkarinen, Jenni Westerlund and Patrik Grönqvist, arrived on Sunday to assist. The Italian divers went missing while exploring caves near Alimathaa, about 100 km south of Malé, descending to around 60 metres, double the permitted recreational depth of 30 metres. One body was recovered on Thursday. The search was overshadowed by the death of MNDF diver Staff Sergeant Mohamed Mahudhee from decompression sickness. The Ministry of Tourism suspended the operating licence of the safari vessel involved. Italy's foreign ministry identified the victims as a marine biology professor, her daughter, and two young researchers.

Maldives Republic | 1 month ago | tense

Military Diver Dies During Search for Missing Italian Divers

MNDF diver Staff Sergeant Mohamed Mahudhee died on Saturday from decompression sickness during the search for five Italian divers who went missing on Thursday in Vaavu Atoll. The Italian group included four tourists and a diving instructor. One body was recovered from a cave at 60 metres; the remaining four are believed to be in the same cave. The maximum recreational diving depth is 30 metres. MNDF divers are trained up to 50 metres, with a programme to train for up to 100 metres. The Ministry of Tourism suspended the operating licence of the safari vessel involved. Italy's foreign ministry identified victims as a marine biology professor, her daughter, and two young researchers.

The Standard | 1 month ago | concerned

“Search for the four missing Italian divers remains our highest priority” says President Muizzu

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu conveyed condolences to Italian President Sergio Mattarella following a fatal diving incident in Vaavu Atoll that left one Italian dead and four missing. The President stated the search for the four missing divers remains the highest priority. The incident occurred during a diving expedition near Alimathaa, where a group of Italian tourists failed to resurface after entering a deep underwater cave system at depths of around 50 metres. The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) launched an extensive search and rescue operation with specialist divers, vessels, and aerial support. Italian authorities are coordinating with Maldivian officials.