The bodies of the four Italian divers who had been missing following a diving incident in Vaavu Atoll have now been located, according to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
The discovery was made during a specialised operation conducted to trace the missing individuals. In a statement released regarding the mission, the MNDF confirmed that all four bodies had been found inside the cave where the divers were believed to have entered during the excursion.
According to the MNDF, the search operation involved personnel from the Coast Guard, Maldives Police Service, and a team of highly experienced Finnish divers arranged by the Italian government to assist in the recovery mission.
Authorities stated that while the bodies have been located, additional dives will be carried out over the coming days to recover them from the cave safely.
To support the operation, three specialist divers from Finland arrived in the Maldives yesterday with advanced diving equipment required for deep and high-risk underwater missions.
Chief Government Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef stated that the Finnish divers are currently carrying out orientation dives to familiarise themselves with the dive site before proceeding with the recovery operation.
Speaking to PSM News, the spokesperson noted that the foreign divers possess extensive international experience in dangerous underwater rescue and recovery operations, having previously participated in similar missions in several countries.
He further explained that divers from the Maldives National Defence Force Coast Guard and the Maldives Police Service would assist the Finnish team throughout the mission, although they would not be involved in the deep dives inside the cave.
Two Maldivian companies are also assisting with logistical support for the operation, while the foreign specialists had brought comprehensive technical diving equipment upon arrival in the country.
The incident was first reported on Thursday at approximately 13:45, when the MNDF Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) received information that five Italian divers had gone missing while diving in Vaavu Atoll. Following the report, an extensive search operation involving both sea and air assets was launched immediately.
One body had previously been recovered during the initial stages of the search, while efforts continued over several days to locate the remaining four divers.
