Finnish divers join search for bodies of 4 Italian divers in the Maldives
Finnish divers have arrived in the Maldives to assist in a renewed search for four Italian divers believed to be trapped in an underwater cave after a failed rescue attempt led to the death of a Maldivian military diver. The Italians, including researchers on a scientific mission, were diving beyond the recreational depth limit when the incident occurred, and authorities are investigating the cause. Italy's foreign minister pledged efforts to recover the bodies, while the tour operator denied knowledge of the unauthorized deep dive.
- ▪Four Italian divers are believed to be trapped in an underwater cave in the Vaavu Atoll after a dive that exceeded the Maldives' 30-meter recreational limit.
- ▪A Maldivian military diver, Mohamed Mahudhee, died from decompression sickness during rescue efforts and was buried with military honors.
- ▪The Finnish divers, experts in deep and cave diving, joined Maldivian coastguard officials to develop a new search strategy amid challenging weather conditions.
- ▪The Italian victims included researchers Monica Montefalcone and Muriel Oddenino, who were in the Maldives on a scientific mission, though the fatal dive was private and not part of their official work.
- ▪The tour operator Albatros Top Boat stated it did not authorize or know about the deep dive, which required special permission and technical equipment not used by the group.
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World Finnish divers join the search for remains of 4 Italian divers in the Maldives May 17, 2026 / 7:47 AM EDT / AP Add CBS News on Google Three Finnish divers arrived in the Maldives Sunday to draw up a fresh plan in the search for the bodies of four Italian divers believed to be deep inside an underwater cave. The initial search was suspended after a local military diver died during a perilous mission to try to reach them. The group of five Italian divers is believed to have died while exploring a cave at a depth of about 160 feet, or 50 meters, in Vaavu Atoll on Thursday, according to Italy's Foreign Ministry.
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