Italian Authorities Launch Investigations Into Fatal Dive Expedition

Italian authorities have launched investigations into the underwater cave expedition in Vaavu Atoll that resulted in the deaths of five Italian nationals, according to Italian media outlet ANSA, amid mounting scrutiny over the handling of the broader search and rescue operation, including calls for a post-mortem examination of a Maldivian military diver who died during the mission.  

ANSA reported that prosecutors in Rome have opened a culpable homicide investigation into the incident, while Maldivian authorities are also conducting a separate inquiry into the expedition.

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The Italian media reported that it remains unclear whether any individual has formally been named as the subject of the Italian investigation.

The developments come after authorities confirmed on Monday that the bodies of the four divers who had remained missing were located inside the cave during a joint search and recovery operation involving the Maldives National Defence Force Coast Guard, the Maldives Police Service, and specialist deep-diving experts sent with support from the Italian government. 

President’s Office spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef said two of the bodies had already been recovered, while further dives would be conducted to retrieve the remaining bodies.

The group of Italian divers went missing last week during an underwater cave expedition in Vaavu Atoll. One diver had earlier been found dead.

The incident has drawn international attention, particularly after an MNDF diver, staff sargent Mohamed Mahudhee, involved in the rescue mission died from decompression illness sustained during diving operations.