Finnish divers recover remaining 2 bodies of Italians from underwater cave in Maldives – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
Deep in the waters off Vaavu Atoll, a specialized Finnish team has completed the recovery of two more bodies from an underwater cave where four Italian divers disappeared last week. The operation brings a difficult search to an end after the victims were found at depths far beyond standard recreational limits. Local authorities have now begun coordinating the return of all remains to Italy.
The Initial Incident
The four Italian divers entered the cave system on Thursday with a permit for research activities. Their instructor was found near the entrance shortly after they failed to surface, while the others remained missing inside the narrow passages. A local military diver later died during an early retrieval attempt, prompting a temporary pause in operations.
Search teams located the bodies on Monday at approximately 60 meters, where strong currents and limited visibility complicated every movement. The Maldives coastguard and police supported the effort from the surface throughout the process.
Technical Demands of the Recovery
Three Finnish divers, experienced in technical cave operations, led the final phase using closed-circuit rebreathers that recycle breathing gas and extend dive times significantly. These systems proved essential in the confined space and poor visibility that defined the cave’s innermost sections. The team worked methodically to bring the bodies to the surface without further risk.
Presidential spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef noted the challenging terrain and strong currents that made the site particularly hazardous. He also pointed out that an earlier weather alert had been issued, leaving investigators to examine whether adequate precautions were taken before the dive began.
Authorities confirmed that the four bodies were found close together in the deepest area. The recovery divers described the conditions as demanding, with overhead environments and high-risk factors that required precise coordination at every stage.
Identification and Next Steps
The two bodies recovered on Wednesday were identified as Muriel Oddenino and Giorgia Sommacal. Earlier in the week, the remains of Monica Montefalcone and Federico Gualtieri had already been brought up, along with the instructor Gianluca Benedetti who was located outside the cave on the day of the disappearance.
Shareef stated that officials will now work with Italian authorities to arrange repatriation. He expressed gratitude to the Finnish team for their professionalism and leadership during the entire operation.
Context of the Expedition
The cave had been explored previously by both local and foreign divers, yet the exact location remained unclear from the submitted proposal. At least two of the deceased were not listed among the approved researchers, which added to the initial uncertainty about the group’s composition.
The Divers’ Alert Network Europe, which deployed the Finnish specialists, highlighted their background in search and recovery missions within deep overhead environments. Colleagues of the deceased Maldivian diver continue to investigate possible causes, including nitrogen narcosis or decompression issues at depth.
The successful conclusion of the recovery underscores the value of specialized expertise in such environments, even as questions remain about planning and safety measures for future expeditions in similar sites.
