Last words of Italian marine biologist who died in Maldives scuba tragedy revealed
Monica Montefalcone, a 51-year-old Italian marine biologist, died in a scuba diving accident during a deep-water dive in the Maldives, along with four others. Her last message highlighted her dedication to studying underwater ecosystems, and she was on a research mission to monitor climate change impacts on marine life. The dive, which exceeded recreational depth limits, was not part of the official scientific mission, according to her university.
- ▪Monica Montefalcone had over 5,000 dives and 20 years of experience diving in the Maldives.
- ▪The cave where the accident occurred is about 160 feet deep, double the Maldives’ recreational diving depth limit.
- ▪Only the body of diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti has been recovered so far.
- ▪The Maldives National Defence Force had issued a yellow alert warning of strong winds and rough seas before the dive.
- ▪The University of Genoa stated the fatal dive was not part of the official scientific mission but was conducted personally.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
World News Last words of Italian marine biologist who died in Maldives scuba tragedy revealed By Gabrielle Fahmy Published May 16, 2026, 9:48 a.m. ET The last words of one of the marine biologists who died in a scuba diving accident in the Maldives were a tribute to the lifelong passion that ultimately cost her life. Monica Montefalcone was among the five Italians vanished during a deep-water dive and presumed trapped inside a cave 200 feet underwater in the Indian Ocean island nation Thursday — in what officials called the single worst diving accident the idyllic nation has ever seen.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at New York Post.
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