MALE: Five Italians have died in a scuba diving accident in the Maldives, Italy’s foreign ministry said on Thursday, with security forces in the Indian Ocean archipelago recovering one body.
The string of coral islands is a luxury holiday destination popular with divers who come to explore its pristine waters, often staying at remote resorts or aboard liveaboard dive boats.
“Following an accident that occurred during a scuba diving trip, five Italian nationals have died in Vaavu Atoll, in the Maldives,” Rome’s foreign ministry said in a brief statement.
“The divers are believed to have died while attempting to explore caves at a depth of 50 meters (54 yards).”
They failed to return from a deep cave-diving trip in Vaavu Atoll, south of the capital, Male.
