Tourism Ministry Suspends MV Duke of York Licence After Vaavu Diving Incident

The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has suspended the operating licence of the vessel “MV Duke of York” following a diving incident in Vaavu Atoll involving a group of Italian nationals.

According to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), the Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) received reports at approximately 1:45 pm on Thursday that five Italian divers had gone missing while diving in Vaavu Atoll. The MNDF subsequently launched a search operation by sea and air.

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The missing individuals include one Italian diving instructor and four divers who entered the water from the vessel. Authorities have so far recovered the body of the diving instructor.

The body was discovered outside a cave at a depth of approximately 60 metres by divers from a safari boat assisting in the search operation. The MNDF said the remaining four divers are believed to be inside the cave, which is estimated to be around 200 feet long.

Maldivian regulations permit recreational diving to a depth of 30 metres.

The Ministry of Tourism said the vessel’s operating permit had been withheld indefinitely due to the seriousness of the incident and to facilitate investigations.

The ministry extended condolences to the families of those affected and acknowledged the efforts of personnel involved in the ongoing search operation.

In a statement, the ministry emphasised that maintaining the Maldives as a safe tourism destination is a shared responsibility among all stakeholders in the industry. It urged operators to fully comply with regulations and stated that necessary measures would be taken to uphold safety standards.

According to available information, the cave where the divers are believed to be trapped is located in an area deeper than sites typically visited by tourists and recreational divers in the Maldives. Authorities said the site requires specialised equipment for diving. The cave reportedly begins at a depth of 45 metres and exits at approximately 60 metres.

The MNDF Coast Guard said it is continuing a high-risk operation to locate the remaining divers.

Meanwhile, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu conveyed condolences to the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, and the people of Italy following the incident.

In a post on X, President Muizzu expressed sorrow over the death of the Italian national and extended prayers and condolences to the bereaved family, the families of the four missing individuals, and all those affected.

The President stated that locating the missing divers remains the government’s highest priority and thanked the Italian government for its support to the ongoing recovery efforts.

President Muizzu also visited the site of the incident in Felidheatholhu on Friday to assess the progress of the search and rescue operation.