The bodies of two Italian nationals have been recovered from a submerged cave in the Maldives, bringing an end to a three-week search that began when the pair failed to return from a diving expedition. The victims, both experienced divers in their 40s, were identified by local authorities as residents of Rome. They had been exploring a labyrinthine cave system in the South Male Atoll, a site known for its challenging currents and narrow passages.
The Maldives Police Service confirmed the recovery on Thursday, following a joint operation with the Maldives National Defence Force and Italian search teams. Preliminary reports suggest the divers became disoriented in the cave’s low visibility and ran out of oxygen. Autopsies will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.
The Italian embassy in Colombo has been notified and is liaising with families. This incident raises renewed questions about safety protocols for cave diving in the region, where several similar tragedies have occurred in recent years. The Maldives government has announced a review of licensing requirements for diving operators.
