Five Italian nationals died in a scuba diving accident while exploring underwater caves at about 50 metres depth in Vaavu Atoll, Maldives, on May 14, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]. The victims included marine biology professor Monica Montefalcone from the University of Genoa, her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, at least two young university researchers, and diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti [1, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10].

The group entered the water on May 14. One body was found the same day near the cave entrance at about 60 metres underwater [1, 3, 4, 7, 8]. The other four were believed trapped inside the cave, which has three chambers connected by narrow passages [3, 4, 11, 12, 10].

The Maldives military and specialized divers conducted a high-risk recovery operation, hampered by rough weather at times [1, 4, 5, 6, 11, 12]. On May 16, the Maldives suspended the operating license of the luxury liveaboard diving vessel MV Duke of York pending investigation [3].

A sixth Italian diver, a University of Genoa student, was on the boat but decided not to dive at the last moment, becoming the sole survivor among about 24 passengers [8, 9, 11].

On May 16, a Maldivian military diver involved in the recovery died from decompression sickness, the first Maldivian fatality during the search [6, 11, 12, 10].

Maldives officials noted that the legal diving depth limit is 30 metres, and the group reportedly exceeded it [3, 6]. Maldives Chief Government Spokesman Mohamed Hussain Shareef said "an investigation had been launched into why the group went below the officially permitted depth of 30m" [3].

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said Italy "will do everything possible to recover the bodies of our compatriots" [4]. Carlo Sommacal, husband of victim Monica Montefalcone, said, "Something must have happened. She had two lives – one on land and one in her environment, the water" [4].

Experts suggested possible causes could include oxygen toxicity or panic reactions. Pulmologist Claudio Micheletto said in Chinese, "It is very likely that there was a problem with the oxygen tanks. Death caused by hyperoxia is one of the most terrible ways to die while diving, with a very tragic outcome" [8]. Alfonso Bolognini, President of the Italian Society of Underwater and Hyperbaric Medicine, said "At 50 metres depth, even one diver having a problem or panic could cause an accident. Emotional agitation can make the water murky and reduce visibility, leading to fatal errors" [8].

By May 16, four remaining bodies were found inside the cave but not yet brought to the surface, with recovery planned in the coming days [12, 10]. Around May 17, the sole surviving diver left the Maldives to reunite with family [8, 9].