Divers Alert Network Europe has released more details over its efforts to recover the bodies of four Italian divers who recently died while exploring an underwater cave system off the Maldives.
The international search and recovery mission was conducted over four operational days (May 18 to 21, 2026) as a joint coordination effort between the following organizations:
- Maldives National Defence Force
- Maldives Police Service
- DAN Europe
- Nakai Resort Alimatha
- Water Solutions Pvt Ltd
- Foresight Surveyors Pvt Ltd
- the Finnish technical diving team and
- the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the first operational day, the search and recovery dive team focused on inspection of the cave system and the identification of the missing divers, which was successfully completed.
On the second and third operational days, the search and recovery dive team successfully carried out the recovery of the victims from within the cave system under highly complex environmental and operational conditions.
On Day Four, the team completed the removal of all equipment and materials present inside the cave system. All recovered materials were handed over to the competent authorities.
Cave Environment Description
Access to the cave system is through a first chamber, which is a large cavern. From this chamber, a tunnel begins, leading to a large second chamber. This second chamber is completely deprived of natural light and has a sandy bottom that can significantly reduce visibility if disturbed.
Search and Recovery Findings
During the search operations, the search and recovery dive team identified an additional tunnel branching from the second chamber and located to the side of the entrance tunnel. Diving through this additional tunnel, the search and recovery team located all four missing divers in the same area.
DAN Europe’s preliminary assessment is as follows:
“Based on the elements currently available, it can be presumed that the divers were unable to find their way back to the exit, most likely due to disorientation within the cave system. Any further determinations regarding the causes and circumstances of the incident will be the responsibility of the competent police and investigative authorities. We therefore urge the public and media to refrain from circulating unverified assumptions or speculation out of respect for the victims and their families.”
Regarding the cave where the divers died, DAN Europe advised extreme caution:
“It is strongly advised not to enter this cave system without proper authorization, specialized cave-diving training, and appropriate technical equipment. Cave diving environments are inherently dangerous and should only be approached by highly trained and properly equipped divers. The mission concludes in memory of the six victims of this tragedy: the five Italian divers and the Maldivian officer who lost his life during the rescue operations.”
