Two of the four victims who died while cave diving off the Maldives have been recovered, according to DAN Europe.
The operation was carried out in collaboration with the Maldivian authorities and an international team of specialists.
The bodies of Monica Montefalcone, her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, researcher Muriel Oddenino and marine biologist Federico Gualtieri were located earlier this week. Dive instructor Gianluca Benedetti’s body was discovered last week. DAN Europe did not specify exactly whose bodies were recovered, citing privacy issues.
Additionally, on Saturday Maldivian military rescue diver Mohamed Mahudhee passed away as a result of decompression sickness during an earlier recovery mission.
The Finnish recovery team conducted again a deep-penetration dive inside the cave system using advanced equipment including Rebreathers, DPVs (underwater scooters) and redundant life-support systems. The team successfully transported two of the victims from inside the cave system to a depth of approximately 30 meters/98 feet, where the Maldivian recovery teams, operating in coordinated deep and shallow support groups, completed the transfer to the surface.
Once recovered, the victims were respectfully transferred onto stretchers and brought aboard Coast Guard vessels.
The specialist dive team safely completed the operation and safely concluded the long decompression phase.
Weather and sea conditions permitting, operations aimed at recovering the remaining two victims are expected to continue the following day.
Sami Paakkarinen, a member of the Finnish rescue team, said:
“The Finnish rescue team would like to express its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wishes to do its part in helping bring them home. Special thanks go to the Italian Embassy, DAN Europe, and the Maldivian authorities for assisting the team — this operation requires the efforts of dozens of people. Today, two of the victims were recovered from the cave, and over the coming days we will continue the work to bring the others home. We kindly ask for privacy and working peace during the operation. Thank you all for your support.”
DAN Europe CEO Laura Marroni said:
“Today’s operation required further coordination, technical skills, and mutual trust between the international dive team and the Maldivian authorities managing the intervention locally. We are deeply grateful to everyone involved for the professionalism, humanity, and respect shown throughout these difficult operations.”
DAN Europe reiterated that both the mission itself and all related communications “will always be guided by two priorities: the safety of the operational team involved in the recovery efforts, and the utmost respect for the victims and their families.”
