Five Italian nationals have died following a scuba diving accident in the Maldives during an expedition near Vaavu Atoll, according to Italy’s foreign ministry.

The victims are believed to have encountered difficulties while attempting to explore underwater caves at a depth of around 50 metres.

Authorities said the group disappeared during a dive on Thursday morning in waters roughly 100 kilometres south of the Maldivian capital, Male.

University Researchers Among Victims

Four of the victims were connected to the University of Genoa, including ecology professor Monica Montefalcone, her daughter Giorgia Sommacal and two researchers.

The university later identified the other victims as research fellow Muriel Oddenino and marine biology graduate Federico Gualtieri.

The fifth victim was named as diving instructor and boat operations manager Gianluca Benedetti.

In a statement posted on X, the University of Genoa expressed its “deepest condolences” following the tragedy.

Military Describes Recovery Mission As High Risk

The Maldives National Defence Force confirmed that one body had been located inside a cave approximately 60 metres underwater.

Officials believe the remaining four divers are also inside the same cave system.

The military described the recovery mission as extremely dangerous because of the depth and underwater conditions, with specialist divers deployed to the site using advanced equipment.

Italian officials said they are continuing to work closely with Maldivian authorities during the search and recovery operation.

Weather Conditions Complicated Rescue Efforts

Police said sea conditions in the area were rough at the time of the incident, with yellow weather warnings issued for passenger boats and fishermen.

The five divers had departed from the yacht Duke of York, which remains at sea awaiting improved weather before returning to Male.

Italy’s foreign ministry confirmed that approximately 20 other Italian nationals aboard the vessel are safe and receiving assistance from the Italian Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The divers were reported missing after failing to resurface following the dive.

Possible Cause Under Investigation

The exact cause of the accident has not yet been confirmed.

However, dive master Maurizio Uras suggested that oxygen toxicity may have contributed to the incident.

Oxygen toxicity can occur during deep dives when divers breathe gas mixtures under high pressure, potentially leading to serious neurological complications underwater.

The tragedy is believed to be the deadliest single diving accident recorded in the Maldives, a country internationally known for its coral reefs and diving tourism industry.