3 Finnish divers arrive in the Maldives to remap the search for the bodies of 4 Italian divers
Three Finnish divers have arrived in the Maldives to assist in remapping the search for four missing Italian divers believed to be trapped in an underwater cave. The search was previously suspended after a Maldivian military diver died from decompression sickness during rescue efforts. The Italian divers were reportedly beyond the recreational depth limit when the incident occurred, and the cause remains under investigation.
- ▪Four Italian divers are believed to be dead inside an underwater cave in Vaavu Atoll at a depth of about 50 meters, exceeding the Maldivian recreational diving limit of 30 meters.
- ▪A Maldivian military diver, Mohamed Mahudhee, died from decompression sickness during the rescue mission and was buried with military honors.
- ▪The Finnish divers, experts in deep and cave diving, have joined the Maldives coastguard to develop a new search strategy amid challenging weather conditions.
- ▪The victims included researchers and a diving instructor, with one body recovered near the cave entrance and four still missing inside.
- ▪Italy’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the dive was a private activity, not part of an official scientific mission conducted by two of the victims in the Maldives.
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ABC NewsLiveVideoShowsGood Morning AmericaShopGMAInterest Successfully AddedWe'll notify you here with news aboutTurn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? OffOnStream on3 Finnish divers arrive in the Maldives to remap the search for the bodies of 4 Italian diversThree Finnish divers have arrived in the Maldives to help search for the bodies of four Italian divers believed to be in an underwater caveByMOHAMED SHARUHAAN Associated PressMay 17, 2026, 7:08 AM1:10This image released by the Maldives President's Media Division, shows divers preparing to search for the four missing Italian divers near Alimathaa Island, Vaavu Atoll, Maldives, Saturday, May 15, 2026.
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