Spanish Tourist Dies from Drowning While Surfing at Vaadhoo

A tourist has died after drowning while surfing near Gaafu Dhaalu Vaadhoo, police have confirmed.

At approximately 12:57pm today, police received a report that a foreign national who had gone into the sea from a safari vessel near the island was in distress and drowning.

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The individual was taken to the GDh. Vaadhoo Health Centre, where staff confirmed that he was already deceased upon arrival.

He has been identified as a 53-year-old male from Spain.

Police said an investigation into the incident is currently underway.

The case comes amid heightened attention on maritime safety following a recent diving-related incident in Vaavu Atoll, where a search operation was launched after five Italian divers went missing during an underwater cave dive. One diver was later found dead, while four remain missing.

During the same ongoing operation, a member of the Maldives National Defence Force died due to decompression illness sustained while taking part in search-and-rescue diving efforts, prompting public discussion on safety standards and equipment used in deep-sea operations. 

According to the government, a team of Finnish dive experts sent by the Italian government arrived in the Maldives yesterday and is currently working with the Coast Guard to determine the next steps in the ongoing search and rescue operation.