The police and military personnel who took part in the operation regarding the death of the Italian divers who descended into the underwater cave near V. Alimatha have received recognition from President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

A special ceremony was held to recognize the efforts of those who took part in the operation.

The Minister of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology Ali Ihusaan and the Minister of Defense Hassan Rasheed attended the ceremony on behalf of the President.

The ceremony was held at the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) HQ, Bandaara Koshi, where the Commissioner of Police Ahmed Mohamed, Chief of Defense Force Major General Ibrahim Hilmy and senior officials from the police and military attended the ceremony.

The police and military personnel who took part in the diving operation were presented with certificates of appreciation at the ceremony.

The individuals who died in the tragic incident, one of the worst to occur in the Maldives in recent history include diver Federico Gualtieri from Borgomanero, Italy; University of Genoa Professor Monica Montefalcone; her daughter Giorgia Somacal; Murial Odenino from Turin, Italy; and Gianluca Benedetti from Padua, Italy.

The operation was initially suspended following the death of Staff Sergeant Mohamed Mahdhy, one of the most experienced divers of the MNDF Coast Guard, while involved in the operation to find the missing people. After that, the operation was restarted by a team of experienced divers from Finland, collaborating with MNDF divers and the police.