“We are deeply saddened by this tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families,” Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu said as rescuers searched for four missing Italian divers near a deep underwater cave.

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

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.