The discovery of the bodies of two Italian divers has sparked a safety investigation after a rescuer claimed the men were not equipped with the best available gear. The divers, both experienced professionals, were found on Tuesday off the coast of Sicily, where they had been conducting a search for a missing swimmer. The rescuer, who asked not to be named, said the divers were using outdated oxygen tanks and lacked emergency communication devices.
“They were doing a dangerous job with second-rate kit. It’s a tragedy that could have been avoided,” he told this newspaper. The local maritime authority has launched a probe into the incident, with a focus on whether safety regulations were breached.
The families of the victims are calling for answers. “My husband loved the sea, but he should have been given the tools to come home,” said Maria Rossi, widow of one of the divers. The union representing divers in Italy has demanded a full review of equipment standards, warning that further deaths are likely if nothing changes.
The government has promised to cooperate with the investigation. “We will leave no stone unturned,” said a transport ministry spokesperson. The incident has reignited debate over the funding of emergency services and the safety of workers in high-risk roles.
