Five Italian citizens died while attempting to explore underwater caves at a depth of 50 meters (about 164 feet) near Vaavu Atoll, the Maldivian authorities and Italy's foreign ministry confirmed. The divers went missing on Thursday morning when they failed to return as scheduled.
Rescue teams from both Italian and Maldivian sides have been actively searching for four days following the accident. One body has already been recovered by local military forces, while officials believe that three more bodies are still in a cave at a depth of approximately 60 meters (about 197 feet) underwater.
Maldives' Minister of Tourism Mohamed Ameen expressed deep sadness over the incident and stated that coastguard officers along with security forces were engaged in an intensive search operation. The Maldivian National Defence Force reported that divers equipped for such specialized tasks had been sent to assist in the recovery efforts, which they described as a very high-risk mission due to the depth of the water.
The Italian foreign ministry said five citizens from Italy were among those who went missing. According to reports, these included a marine biology professor and her daughter, along with two young researchers. The incident is believed to be one of the worst diving accidents in Maldivian history given its severity at such significant depths.
Local regulations allow dives up to a maximum depth of 30 meters (about 98 feet). However, experienced professionals often venture deeper for exploration purposes. Weather conditions were reportedly rough on Thursday, which may have contributed to the incident as there was also a warning issued by local authorities.
The search and rescue operation continues with hopes that more bodies will be found soon. Authorities are urging divers to exercise caution when exploring underwater caves in Vaavu Atoll due to potential hazards at greater depths.
This article was produced by AVALW News on Friday, May 15, 2026 based on reporting from 4 verified news sources across 2 countries. Our editorial process cross-references facts from multiple independent outlets to deliver accurate, comprehensive coverage. All original sources are linked below.