Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleCopy linkRescue teams searched for a second day for the bodies of the missing Italians following the country's deadliest diving accident (AFP/Getty)Five Italian divers died during an underwater cave expedition in the Maldives after failing to resurface on Thursday. The group was exploring caves at depths of 50-60 metres in Vaavu Atoll, an area known for strong currents and complex underwater tunnels. A distress alert was raised when the divers did not return, and rescue teams later recovered one body, with the remaining four believed to be inside the same cave system. The victims were identified as Monica Montefalcone, Giorgia Sommacal, Muriel Oddenino, Federico Gualtieri and Gianluca Benedetti. Maldivian authorities are investigating the incident, which is considered one of the most serious diving accidents in the country's history, with rough weather hindering recovery efforts. In fullFive Italians die while exploring underwater caves in the MaldivesMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

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…

The incident occurs in the Vaavu Atoll, where the group was attempting to explore a series of underwater caves

The victims included a marine biology professor, her daughter and two young researchers.

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…

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or…

An Italian expert has joined police divers and rescue vessels in the Maldives for searches after the death of five Italian divers in a scuba accident.

The group was exploring a series of underwater caves at a depth of around 50 metres in Vaavu Atoll in the Maldives.

Italy’s Foreign Ministry said the five divers “apparently died while attempting to explore caves at a depth of 50 meters (164 feet)” in the Vaavu Atoll on Thursday.

ROME —Five Italian nationals have died following a scuba diving accident in the Maldives, Italy’s foreign ministry said on Thursday. The incident occurred...

Rescue teams in the Maldives continued recovery operations after the country’s deadliest diving accident killed five Italian divers.

The divers became trapped in a sea cave at a depth of about 50 metres. A high-risk search for the bodies was suspended because of rough seas.

Cave diving is a highly technical and dangerous activity that requires specialized training, equipment and strict safety protocols.

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleFive Italian divers, including marine…

Body of fifth diver recovered on Thursday, search of third cave chamber expected on Saturday

Authorities previously suspended recovery operation for bodies of four divers believed to have died while exploring Vaavu Atoll cave

A rescue diver in the Maldives searching for the bodies of four Italians, who drowned in the deadliest diving disaster in the Indian Ocean tourist destination, has also died,…

Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or…

A diver has died in an operation to recover the bodies of five Italians who drowned while exploring a deep underwater cave in the Maldives.

International cave divers have arrived in the Maldives to step up the search for the remains of four Italians who died while scuba diving in the island paradise, a day after a…

Several fatalities have been reported in recent years but diving and water sports-related accidents are still relatively rare.