Deep‑Sea Tragedy: Five Italians Lost in Maldives Cave Dive

Maldivian officials are looking into why five Italian divers died last week in a deep cave off the island. The group, headed by marine scientist Monica Montefalcone, was studying soft corals at the Devana Kandu site. Only one body – that of an instructor – has been found, at a depth of 60 metres. This incident marks the worst single loss in the country’s diving history. The dive was officially permitted for coral research, but officials say they were unaware that the team would enter a cave. Cave diving is far more dangerous than open‑water dives, especially at such depths where the air pressure can cause oxygen toxicity. Experts point out that oxygen poisoning typically begins around 55 metres on compressed air, making dives at those depths risky. Montefalcone’s husband defended her reputation as a careful diver who has completed roughly 5, 000 dives. He also noted that no one could predict the exact cause of the tragedy and that experts are only speculating.Four of the victims’ bodies were spotted in the cave’s third chamber by Finnish divers, and a recovery plan is underway. A Maldivian rescuer also died while trying to recover the bodies, underscoring how hazardous these depths are. The rescue team used advanced gear such as closed‑loop rebreathers to locate the remains. The group’s boat, the MV Duke of York, had a permit for recreational dives up to 30 metres. However, the divers went far deeper and apparently lacked a dive‑school permit required for such expeditions. The boat operator says the vessel was only authorized for shallow recreational dives and that divers were warned of depth limits before departure. Questions remain about whether strong currents or other unseen factors pushed the divers deeper than intended. The investigation continues as authorities examine permits, training, and dive plans to prevent future incidents.