(Image courtesy of Maldives President’s Media Division via AP) and Tags: [Maldives, diving accident, international rescue, underwater cave, Italy]
Divers from multiple countries traveled to the Maldives to join the recovery operation for five Italian nationals who went missing several days ago in an underwater cave. All have since been confirmed dead. Tags: [divers, Maldives, recovery operation, Italy, missing persons]
On 17 May 2026, the Divers Alert Network (DAN) dispatched experts to the Maldives on Sunday to assist in the multinational rescue effort following the deaths of five Italians and one rescue diver. This incident marks the deadliest diving accident in Maldives history. Tags: [Divers Alert Network, Maldives, rescue operation, diving accident, fatalities]
The five Italians drowned inside a deep underwater cave in remote waters on Thursday, 14 May. Maldivian authorities recovered one body the same day, found inside the cave at a depth of about 60 meters. Tags: [drowning, underwater cave, Maldives, body recovery, deep diving]
Additionally, Sergeant Mohamed Mahuddi, a rescue diver from the Maldives National Defence Force, died in hospital on Saturday, 16 May, due to complications from decompression sickness. This forced a temporary halt to the search operation. Tags: [Maldives National Defence Force, decompression sickness, rescue diver death, search suspension]
Mohamed Hussein Sharif, spokesperson for the Maldivian government, told AFP that Italy, the United Kingdom, and Australia provided assistance in searching for the remaining four Italian divers amid difficult and dangerous conditions. Tags: [Maldivian government, international assistance, search operation, Italy, UK, Australia]
“Three Finnish experts from the Divers Alert Network, assigned by the Italian government, arrived today and will join the search, which is expected to resume on Monday,” Sharif said. He also added that the United States has offered assistance. Tags: [Divers Alert Network, Finnish experts, Italy, United States, search operation]
Sharif further stated that foreign aid in this recovery mission is coordinated by DAN and the Maldivian Navy, which has deployed its largest vessel to the incident site. Tags: [foreign aid, DAN, Maldivian Navy, recovery mission, vessel deployment]
The University of Genoa revealed that the deceased include a marine biology professor, her daughter, and two young researchers. Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has officially confirmed the deaths of all five individuals. Tags: [University of Genoa, marine biology professor, researchers, Italy Ministry of Foreign Affairs, fatalities]
Follow international news: Tags: [international news, updates]https://www.thairath.co.th/news/foreign Tags: [news source, Thairath]
Source: Tags: [source]cna Tags: [CNA, news agency]