Five Italian nationals have died following a scuba diving accident in the Maldives, Italy’s Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
The incident took place in the Vaavu Atoll, where the group had reportedly been exploring a network of underwater caves at a depth of nearly 50 metres, or about 165 feet.
Italian authorities said the divers were part of an expedition in the popular diving region, known for its deep channels and marine biodiversity. Details surrounding the accident remain unclear.
Italy’s Foreign Ministry confirmed that an investigation into the incident is currently underway, while local authorities in the Maldives are also examining the circumstances that led to the fatalities.
The Maldives is widely regarded as one of the world’s premier scuba diving destinations, attracting thousands of diving enthusiasts each year for its coral reefs, shipwrecks, and underwater cave systems. However, deep cave diving is considered one of the most technically demanding and high-risk forms of diving, requiring advanced training and specialized equipment.
With inputs from WAM
