A Spanish tourist has died after drowning while in the water near a safari vessel off Gaafu Dhaalu Vaadhoo.

Police said the incident occurred at around 12:57 pm today while the 53 year old man was surfing after climbing into the sea from a safari.

He was taken to Vaadhoo Health Centre, where he was pronounced dead.

Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances of the incident.

The drowning comes as separate search operations continue in Vaavu Atoll for five missing Italian divers who disappeared during a cave dive on Thursday. One body has so far been recovered during the search.