Bodies Of Two Italian Divers Recovered In Maldives Cave Tragedy As Search Continues For Remaining Victims

by HEDNEWS on May 19, 2026

Bodies of two Italian divers recovered in Maldives cave tragedy as search continues for remaining victims The bodies of two of the four remaining Italian divers who died in a deep underwater cave in the Maldives have been recovered by divers, an official said on Tuesday, as recovery operations continue for the remaining two victims. Authorities confirmed that specialist divers located and retrieved the bodies from inside a complex cave system in Vaavu Atoll, where the group disappeared during a dive last week. The operation involved international recovery teams, including Finnish technical divers using advanced underwater equipment to access deep and narrow sections of the cave, which lies far below the Maldives’ recreational diving limits. Officials said the retrieved bodies were brought to a safer depth before being transferred to local Maldivian divers and police for transport to shore, while efforts are being prepared to recover the remaining two victims still inside the cave system.The incident involves a group of Italian divers who were part of a five-person team that entered a deep cave system in Vaavu Atoll last Thursday. One instructor had already been recovered earlier in the operation, while the others remained trapped deeper within the system. Authorities said the cave environment has made recovery extremely difficult due to strong currents, poor visibility, and depths reaching around 50–60 metres, well beyond standard recreational limits.Investigators are also examining whether the group descended beyond permitted diving depths and whether safety procedures were fully followed during the expedition, which has become one of the deadliest diving incidents in Maldives history.The recovery mission is expected to continue with specialist teams on standby to retrieve the remaining two bodies once conditions allow.