Italian authorities and Maldivian rescue teams are investigating a fatal scuba diving accident in the Maldives that claimed the lives of five Italian nationals during a deep underwater cave exploration in Vaavu Atoll. The victims included a marine ecology professor, her daughter, two researchers and a veteran diving instructor.
News
Five Italian Divers Die Exploring Underwater Cave In Maldives’ Vaavu Atoll
Five Italian scuba divers, including a University of Genoa professor and her daughter, died during a deep cave dive in the Maldives’ Vaavu Atoll. Authorities suspect oxygen toxicity, strong currents, and panic may have contributed to the tragedy
Anwesha Santra
16 May 2026
Underwater topography (representational) Photo: Fakhrizal Setiawan/Wiki Commons
Underwater topography (representational) Photo: Fakhrizal Setiawan/Wiki Commons
CLOSE