dailyloe.com – Five Italians tragically lost their lives in a scuba diving accident in the Maldives, as reported by Italy’s Foreign Ministry. The incident occurred while the divers attempted to explore caves at a depth of 50 meters in Vaavu Atoll.
Four of the deceased were affiliated with the University of Genoa, including ecology professor Monica Montefalcone, her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, and two researchers. The Maldives military reported that one body was found in a cave approximately 60 meters underwater, with the other four believed to be in the same location.
Specially equipped divers have been deployed for the search operation, which has been classified as very high risk. Italy’s Foreign Ministry stated that 20 other Italian nationals aboard the Duke of York yacht, from which the divers departed, are safe and receiving support from the Italian Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
The yacht is currently waiting for improved weather conditions before returning to the capital, Male. Local media indicated that the divers entered the water on Thursday morning and were reported missing after failing to resurface.
According to police, the weather conditions in the area, situated about 100 kilometers south of Male, were rough, prompting a yellow warning for passenger boats and fishermen. The University of Genoa has identified the victims as Montefalcone, her daughter Sommacal, research fellow Muriel Oddenino, and marine biology graduate Federico Gualtieri.
The fifth victim was identified as Gianluca Benedetti, the boat operations manager and diving instructor. In a statement on X, the University of Genoa expressed its “deepest condolences” to the victims’ families.
Italy’s ambassador to Sri Lanka, Damiano Francovigh, confirmed to broadcaster Sky TG24 that one body has been recovered, while the other four remain unlocated. Recovery efforts are complicated by adverse weather conditions and are set to resume on May 16.
Carlo Sommacal, husband of Montefalcone, spoke to Italian daily La Repubblica, stating that his wife was “among the best divers in the world.” He characterized her as “prepared and meticulous.”
