Maldives Scuba Diving Accident: 5 Italians Die During Underwater Cave Dive, Investigation Underway

On May 14, 2026, five Italian nationals lost their lives during a deep-water scuba dive into an underwater cave in the Maldives. The incident has become the country’s worst-ever scuba diving tragedy. A rescue diver who later joined the search operation for the missing bodies also died during the mission. Police investigations are now underway, and authorities are awaiting further details about this unfortunate incident.

Five Italians Die While Scuba Diving In Maldives

The Maldives is considered one of the world’s best destinations for scuba diving. The island nation is famous for its crystal-clear waters and marine biodiversity, attracting tourists from all over the world. But recently, five Italian tourists lost their lives during a scuba diving expedition near Vaavu Atoll. According to the BBC, the five Italian nationals died while exploring underwater caves nearly 160 feet below sea level.

Reportedly, four of the divers were part of a University of Genoa team. The group included an ecology professor, her daughter and two researchers. The body of the fifth diver was found near the mouth of a cave, but the remaining four bodies were initially not recovered. Rescuers believed they were trapped inside the same cave, which is divided into three large chambers connected by narrow passages.

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Rescue Diver Also Lost His Life During Search Operation

According to  The Guardian, a Maldivian military diver was sent to recover the bodies of the remaining four Italian scuba divers. However, he reportedly suffered from underwater decompression sickness and also lost his life. The search operation was temporarily suspended on May 15 after the diver’s death, but it resumed on May 16. Two Italians, including a deep-sea rescue expert and a cave diver, later joined the recovery efforts.

The deceased have been identified as Monica Montefalcone, an ecology professor at the University of Genoa, her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, marine biologist Federico Gualtieri, researcher Muriel Oddenino and diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti. The cause of the deaths is still unknown and remains under investigation. Officials are currently focusing on recovering the bodies. 

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Authorities are now awaiting further details about this unfortunate incident.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/ EXTREME-PHOTOGRAPHER (Representative Image)