A rescue diver in the Maldives has died while searching for the bodies of four Italian tourists who drowned in the deadliest diving disaster in the Indian Ocean holiday destination, authorities confirmed on Saturday.
Search Operations Continue Amid Bad Weather
Teams from the Maldivian National Defense Force (MNDF) have been searching for a third day for the Italians, who failed to return after a dive on Thursday. One body from the group of five was recovered the same day. Despite adverse weather conditions, search operations are ongoing.
The MNDF reported that Staff Sergeant Mohamed Mahudhy was taken to hospital in critical condition after surfacing during the search operation. He later passed away while receiving treatment.
License Suspended for Luxury Vessel
The Maldives has suspended the operating license of the liveaboard vessel MV Duke of York, from which the Italians had been diving. The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation announced the indefinite suspension, pending the outcome of an investigation into the incident that occurred in Vaavu Atoll on May 14.
The Duke of York is a 36-meter luxury boat capable of accommodating 25 guests.
Victims Identified
The University of Genoa stated that the victims included a marine biology professor, her daughter, and two young researchers. The body of one diver was found in a cave at a depth of 60 meters, well beyond the officially permitted depth of 30 meters.
Chief government spokesman Mohamed Hussain Shareef said an investigation has been launched into why the group descended below the allowed limit.
Italy Confirms Fatalities
Italy's Foreign Ministry confirmed on Thursday that all five of its nationals had died. The low-lying Maldives, a nation of 1,192 tiny coral islands scattered across the equator in the Indian Ocean, is a luxury holiday destination popular with divers. Diving and water-sport-related accidents are relatively rare in the South Asian nation, although several fatal incidents have been reported in recent years.
