Maldivian authorities were conducting a high-risk search for the bodies of four Italian divers who died in a scuba accident in a deep underwater cave the day before.
The body of a fifth diver was recovered on Thursday, local officials said.
Italy’s foreign ministry said the group “apparently died while attempting to explore caves at a depth of 50 metres (164 feet)” in the Vaavu Atoll on Thursday.
It said that the cause of the deaths remained under investigation.
The cave is so deep that divers even with the best equipment do not try to approach
Italy’s National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology said in a statement that the dead included Monica Montefalcone, an associate professor of ecology at the University of Genoa, and her daughter Giorgia. The others were marine biologist Federico Gualtieri, researcher Muriel Oddenino and diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti.
The institute expressed “deep condolences” to their families and colleagues.
The five divers were believed to have been exploring the cave when they went missing, according to Maldivian presidential spokesman Mohamed Hussain Shareef.
“The cave is so deep that divers even with the best equipment do not try to approach,” he said.
Maldivian authorities launched a major search operation, deploying boats, aircraft and dive teams to the area.
Rescuers recovered one body from about 60 metres (200 feet) below the surface on Thursday, while the remaining four divers were believed to be inside the cave, officials said.
The group had been on a morning dive near Alimathaa and was reported missing after failing to surface by midday on Thursday, with weather conditions described as unfavourable at the time.
Search teams were preparing a second dive on Friday to assess access to the cave, although rough weather could delay operations.
The Italian foreign ministry said an Italian expert was assisting Maldivian coast guard crews, and Italy’s ambassador was on a search vessel as local authorities considered whether to seek international assistance.
The Italian ministry said about 20 other Italians who had been on the same expedition aboard a vessel named the Duke of York were safe, with no injuries reported. Italy’s embassy in Colombo was providing assistance to those onboard and had contacted the Red Crescent, which offered to deploy volunteers to help provide psychological aid.
The vessel was searching for safe harbour from poor weather conditions, and was waiting for conditions to improve before returning to Male, the ministry said.
The ministry said it was also co-ordinating with Divers Alert Network, a specialist diving insurance group that could support recovery operations with technical expertise and assist with the repatriation of the bodies.
Italian officials and the honorary consul remained in contact with the victims’ families to provide assistance.
