Italy Maldives Dive Accident

This image released by the Maldives President's Media Division, shows a coast guard boat and other vessels deployed to search for the four missing Italian divers near Alimathaa Island, Vaavu Atoll, Maldives, Saturday, May 15, 2026.

Tags

As featured on

A Maldivian military diver dies while searching for the bodies of 4 Italians in underwater cave

A Maldivian military diver dies while searching for the bodies of 4 Italians in underwater cave

A Maldivian military diver has died while searching for the bodies of four Italian divers believed to be deep inside an underwater cave. The group is thought to have died while exploring a cave at a depth of about 160 feet  in Vaavu Atoll on Thursday. The Maldivian National Defense Force member died of underwater decompression sickness. The Italian Foreign Ministry is coordinating with a specialist diving organization to support recovery operations. The victims include an associate professor, a marine biologist, and a diving instructor. The Maldives tourism ministry has suspended the operating license of the vessel involved pending an investigation.