An initial report prepared based on information gathered so far has been released following a four-day search and recovery operation to find the Italian divers who died inside an underwater cave located near V. Alimatha.
The operation was conducted at an international level by the Divers Alert Network (DAN) in collaboration with the Maldivian military and police. In addition, Nakai Resort Alimatha, Water Solutions Private Limited, Foresight Surveyors Private Limited, a technical diving team from Finland, and the Foreign Ministry of Italy also participated in the operation.
On the first day of the operation, the diving team mainly worked on inspecting the inside of the cave and identifying the location of the missing divers. This work was successfully completed on that day.
On the second and third days of the operation, the diving team worked on recovering the bodies of the deceased from inside the cave.
The task for the fourth day was to retrieve all the gear and equipment inside the cave. These items have been handed over to the Maldives Police Service.
In a statement issued by the team that conducted the search and rescue operation, the structure of the cave was described. Accordingly, the entrance into the cave leads to a first section that exists as a large open space. From this section onwards, a narrow passage leads into a second large section.
The report noted that this second chamber is a place where no sunlight penetrates at all, and because its bottom consists of a easily disturbed layer of silt, its disturbance alters the color of the water, significantly reducing visibility.
According to the report, during the operation carried out to find the missing persons, the diving team discovered an alternative path to exit from the second chamber. This path was located to one side of the main path used to enter the place. All four missing divers were found in that area.
Based on the information received so far, the report stated it is believed that the divers lost their way back out due to disorientation inside the cave.
"Further details regarding the cause and circumstances that led to this incident will be identified and disclosed by the police and relevant investigative authorities. Therefore, out of respect for the victims of this incident and their families, we appeal to the public and the media not to spread unverified information and personal opinions," the report said.
In the report, experienced divers advised against entering the cave without the permission of relevant authorities, specialized training for cave diving, and the required technical equipment. It noted that since cave diving is inherently dangerous, this is not something that should be done by anyone other than those who have received specialized training for it and possess full resources.
The individuals who died in this tragic maritime incident, which is the worst to occur in the Maldives in recent history, include the diver Federico Gualtieri from Borgomanero, Italy, as well as University of Genoa Professor Monica Montefalcone, her daughter Giorgia Somacal, Murial Odenino from Turin, Italy, and Gianluca Benedetti from Padua, Italy.
The operation was suspended last Saturday following the death of Staff Sergeant Mohamed Mahdhee, one of the most experienced divers of the MNDF Coast Guard, while involved in the operation to find the people. After that, the operation was restarted by a team of experienced divers from Finland, collaborating with MNDF divers and the police.
