Five Italian divers die in tragic scuba diving accident whilst exploring underwater caves
Five Italian divers have died in a horrific accident while exploring underwater caves in the Maldives.
Four of the five divers were part of a University of Genoa team, which included Professor of Ecology Monica Montefalcone, her daughter and two other researchers.
The university has since confirmed the identities of the victims as Montefalcone, her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, who was also a student, research fellow Muriel Oddenino and marine biology graduate Federico Gualtieri.
The fifth victim to have lost their life in the tragic accident has been named as boat operations manager and diving instructor, Gianluca Benedetti.
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"The divers are believed to have died while attempting to explore caves at a depth of 50 metres (164ft)," the foreign ministry in Rome said.
The ministry added that the accident happened in Vaavu Atoll, located around 40 miles from the capital, Malé.
According to local media reports, the five divers entered the water on Thursday morning (14 May).
The crew of the diving vessel they were travelling on soon reported the Italians missing after they failed to resurface.
One body was found in a cave around 60 metres underwater, while the other four divers were also believed to be there, the Maldives' military said.
"A body has been found among the five divers who dived in Vaavu Atoll," the MNDF said in a statement to Italian news agency ANSA.
"The body was found inside a cave. The other four divers are believed to be inside the same cave, which extends to a depth of approximately 60m."
The military added that divers with special equipment had been sent to the area and that a 'very high risk' search operation had commenced.
Anna Maria Bernini, the Minister of University and Research of Italy, has since issued a statement on X following the tragedy.
She wrote: "The tragedy that has struck the University of Genoa deeply shakes the entire Italian academic community. There are pains in the face of which words are not enough. In this moment so dramatic, I extend my most sincere thoughts and my closeness to the families, to the Rector, to colleagues, to students, and to the entire Genoese university community, struck by a loss that leaves us dismayed."
The University of Genoa has also issued a statement on X, responding to Bernini's post, writing: "The University of Genoa expresses its deepest condolences for the sudden and tragic passing of Monica Montefalcone, her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, Muriel Oddenino, and Federico Gualtieri."
A lengthier statement shared on Instagram reads: "The University of Genoa expresses its deepest condolences for the sudden and tragic demise of Monica Montefalcone, associate professor of Ecology at the Department of Earth, Environment and Life Sciences – DISTAV, her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, a student of Biomedical Engineering at UniGe, Muriel Oddenino, research assistant at DISTAV, and Federico Gualtieri, recent master’s graduate from UniGe in Biology and Marine Ecology.
"To the families, to the colleagues, to the students and students who have shared their human and professional journey, the closeness of the entire university community goes."
Topics: World News, Europe
Rhiannon Ingle