Bodies of Five Italian Divers Repatriated After Maldives Cave Tragedy

The bodies of five Italian scuba divers who drowned inside an underwater cave in the Maldives have been repatriated to Italy. The group vanished during a deep-water dive in Vaavu Atoll. Marine biologist Monica Montefalcone from the University of Genoa, her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, researcher Muriel Oddenino, and recent graduate Federico Gualtieri were brought home early Saturday.

Diving instructor and boat captain Gianluca Benedetti, 44, was recovered May 14 near the cave entrance.

The divers disappeared at a depth of 164 feet inside the cave. Officials described the event as the worst diving accident in the island nation’s history. Finnish rescuers stated the group likely ran out of oxygen after becoming lost. Visibility inside the cave drops sharply and sediment clouds the water.

Benedetti was found away from the others near the mouth of the cave. Investigators are examining why he separated from the group.

Rome’s prosecutor’s office is treating the case as culpable homicide. The probe will examine why the experienced divers exceeded the Maldives recreational limit of 100 feet without required permits or equipment. com Italian investigators have questioned three University of Genoa professors, including Stefano Vanin, who was on the boat but did not dive.

The vessel’s license has been suspended by the Maldives government. The recovered diving equipment, including GoPros, has been turned over to investigators. An autopsy for Benedetti is scheduled for Monday.

The Italian boat operator Albatros and the University of Genoa stated they had not authorized the deep dive. The University of Genoa said the researchers were sent on a scientific mission. One diver from the Maldives National Defence Force died during the initial rescue attempt before Finnish teams took over.