Gov’t Confirms Arrival of Foreign Dive Experts as Search for Missing Italian Divers Continues

Government spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef has confirmed that three Finnish expert divers arrived in the Maldives on Friday to assist in the ongoing search operation for missing Italian divers in Vaavu Atoll.

Speaking to MV+, Shareef said the specialist divers, affiliated with an Italian company, were sent by the Italian government, and have previously worked in the Maldives. He noted that the current mission has been temporarily suspended, and the divers are in coordination discussions with Coast Guard personnel on how to restart the works to locate the missing divers. 

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“They will not dive today; they will rest and continue later,” Shareef said, adding that operational planning is underway before resuming underwater efforts.

The search and rescue operation began on Thursday after the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) received reports that five Italian divers went missing after entering the water from a safari vessel in Vaavu Atoll. The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) launched a coordinated air and sea search.

One diving instructor has already been recovered dead from a depth of around 60 metres near a cave site, while four others remain missing. The cave is believed to extend to approximately 200 feet and lies beyond the Maldives’ permitted recreational diving limit of 30 metres.

The operation has been classified as high-risk due to depth and terrain conditions, requiring specialised diving equipment and technical expertise.

The developments come after MNDF Staff Sergeant Mohamed Mahdhee died during a search-and-rescure operation after suffering decompression sickness while diving. He had been actively involved in the mission and was among those briefing President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu during his visit to the site. 

Following the death of an MNDF diver, Brigadier General Mohamed Saleem told state media that military divers do not use advanced diving equipment for such operations and acknowledged that these missions are carried out with inherent risks.

The Ministry of Tourism has since suspended the operating permit of the safari vessel involved, while urging strict compliance with safety regulations as investigations continue. The MNDF Coast Guard says the search operation for the remaining divers is ongoing.