Authorities Search Waters In The Maldives For Bodies Of Italians Who Died In Cave Dive Accident

MALE, Maldives — Maldivian authorities conducted a high-risk hunt Friday for nan bodies of 4 Italian divers who died successful a scuba mishap successful a heavy underwater cave a time before. The assemblage of a 5th diver was recovered Thursday, section officials said.

Italy’s Foreign Ministry said nan group “apparently died while attempting to research caves astatine a extent of 50 meters (164 feet)” successful nan Vaavu Atoll connected Thursday. It said that nan origin of nan deaths remains nether investigation.

Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology said successful a connection nan dormant included Monica Montefalcone, an subordinate professor of Ecology astatine nan University of Genoa, and her girl Giorgia. The others were marine biologist Federico Gualtieri, interrogator Muriel Oddenino and diving coach Gianluca Benedetti.

The institute expressed “deep condolences” to their families and colleagues.

The 5 divers were believed to person been exploring nan cave erstwhile they went missing, according to Maldivian statesmanlike spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef.

“The cave is truthful heavy that divers moreover pinch nan champion instrumentality do not effort to approach,” he said.

Maldivian authorities launched a awesome hunt operation, deploying boats, craft and dive teams to nan area.

Rescuers recovered 1 assemblage from astir 200 feet beneath nan aboveground Thursday, while nan remaining 4 divers were believed to beryllium wrong nan cave, officials said.

The group had been connected a greeting dive adjacent Alimathaa and was reported missing aft failing to aboveground by midday Thursday, pinch upwind conditions described arsenic unfavorable astatine nan time.

Search teams were preparing a 2nd dive Friday to measure entree to nan cave, though unsmooth upwind could hold operations. The Italian Foreign Ministry said an Italian master was assisting Maldivian seashore defender crews, and Italy’s ambassador was connected a hunt alloy arsenic section authorities considered whether to activity world assistance.

The Italian ministry said astir 20 different Italians who had been connected nan aforesaid expedition aboard a alloy named nan Duke of York were safe, pinch nary injuries reported. Italy’s embassy successful Colombo was providing assistance to those onboard and had contacted nan Red Crescent, which offered to deploy volunteers to thief supply psychological aid.

The alloy was searching for safe harbor from mediocre upwind conditions, and was waiting for conditions to amended earlier returning to Male, nan ministry said.

The ministry added it was besides coordinating pinch Divers Alert Network, a master diving security group that could support betterment operations pinch method expertise and assistance pinch nan repatriation of nan bodies.

Italian officials and nan honorary consul remained successful interaction pinch nan victims’ families to supply assistance.

Sharuhan and Zampano constitute for nan Associated Press. Zampano reported from Rome. AP writers Sheikh Saaliq successful New Delhi and Krishan Francis successful Colombo contributed to this report.