Maldives recovers last two bodies of divers

Maldives authorities said on May 20 that specialist divers had recovered the last two bodies of five Italian nationals killed in a cave-diving accident in Vaavu Atoll, ending a days-long retrieval effort after the country’s deadliest diving disaster. The five were part of a group that entered a deepwater cave on May 14 and did not return. One body was found soon after the incident, and the remaining four were later located deep inside the cave system. A Maldivian military diver also died during the recovery effort after suffering decompression-related complications, officials said. ### Who were the divers and what were they doing in the Maldives? The five victims were identified by Maldivian authorities as Monica Montefalcone, an associate ecology professor at the University of Genoa; her daughter Giorgia Sommacal; marine biologist Federico Gualtieri; researcher Muriel Oddenino; and diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti. Maldivian officials said the group had been granted a permit to research soft corals at the Devana Kandu site. (usnews.com) The University of Genoa said on May 16 that Montefalcone and Oddenino were in the Maldives on an official scientific mission to monitor marine environments and study climate change effects on tropical biodiversity, but that the dive during which the accident occurred was a private activity and not part of the planned research. Two of the other victims were not involved in the scientific mission, according to the university and Maldivian officials. (cbsnews.com) ### Where did the accident happen, and why was the site difficult? Vaavu Atoll is south of Malé, and the cave where the bodies were found was about 60 metres deep, Chief Government Spokesman Mohamed Hussain Shareef said. That is roughly twice the Maldives’ 30-metre recreational diving limit. Shareef said the cave was larger and deeper than initially thought. (cbsnews.com) Maldivian authorities said they were examining whether the divers had gone far deeper than expected, along with other possible factors. Reuters reported that investigators were looking at depth, weather conditions and other operational details surrounding the dive. ### How did the recovery operation unfold? The Maldives suspended parts of the search on May 16 after Staff Sergeant Mohamed Mahudhee of the Maldives National Defence Force died from underwater decompression sickness following a recovery mission. (straitstimes.com) Presidential spokesman Shareef said his death showed the difficulty of the operation. Searches resumed on May 18 with help from international specialists, including Finnish experts from Divers Alert Network, as well as assistance from Italy, Britain and Australia, according to officials and media reports citing the Maldivian government. (usnews.com) Two bodies were brought to the surface first, and the final two were recovered on May 20. (cbsnews.com) ### What are investigators focusing on now? Maldivian authorities said they had suspended the operating licence of the luxury vessel from which the Italians had been diving and opened an investigation into whether safety rules were breached. Officials have not announced final findings. Reuters reported on May 18 that investigators were reviewing whether the group descended beyond expected limits. (straitstimes.com) Separate reporting after the recoveries said rescuers believed the divers may have entered a corridor ending in a dead end inside the cave complex; that account was attributed to la Repubblica and rescue participants, not to Maldivian investigators. ### What happens next for the victims and their families? Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Italy would do everything possible to bring the victims home, and Maldivian officials said they were coordinating with Italian authorities on repatriation. The Italian ambassador to Sri Lanka and non-resident ambassador to the Maldives, Damiano Francovigh, was present in Malé as the final bodies were brought ashore. (usnews.com) The next formal step is the return of the bodies to Italy while Maldivian investigators continue reviewing permits, dive conditions and the vessel’s compliance with local regulations. (usnews.com) (cbsnews.com)