5 Italian divers killed in Maldives Cave Dive accident, Search underway

5 Italian divers were killed in a scuba diving accident in the Maldives while attempting a deep cave exploration, authorities confirmed on Friday.

The incident occurred when the group reportedly attempted to explore underwater caves at a depth of around 50 metres in the Vaavu Atoll region. Officials said one diver was initially found dead inside a deep underwater cave, with the body recovered from nearly 60 metres below the surface.

The remaining four divers were also believed to be trapped inside the same cave system, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation involving boats, aircraft, and specialized dive teams.

Maldivian authorities have described the operation as highly complex and risky due to challenging underwater conditions and limited visibility inside the cave network.

An Italian expert has joined local coast guard teams and police divers to assist in ongoing search efforts. Officials are also evaluating access routes to the underwater cave, though rough weather conditions and a yellow alert have complicated recovery operations.

The Maldives National Defence Force is coordinating the rescue mission, while the Italian Embassy in Colombo is in contact with victims’ families and local authorities.

The group had been on a morning dive near Alimathaa when they went missing after failing to surface by midday Thursday, according to initial reports.

Authorities are continuing efforts to recover the remaining divers as investigations into the exact cause of the accident remain underway.