Five Italians, including scientists, died while diving in the Maldives

Five Italian citizens, including three scientists, died in the Maldives while diving in an underwater cave at a depth of about 50 meters.

This was reported by the Associated Press.

The tragedy occurred on May 14. A group of divers set out on a dive from the yacht Duke of York but did not return to the surface. The ship’s crew reported their disappearance, after which a search operation began.

Among the victims are Monica Montefalcone, a professor of ecology at the University of Genoa; her daughter, student Georgia Sommacal; research associate Muriel Oddenino; Federico Gualtieri, a graduate of the marine biology program; and diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti.

The instructor’s body was found in a cave at a depth of about 60 meters. According to preliminary data, the remaining bodies are still underwater, but the search operation has been temporarily suspended due to bad weather.

A storm warning was in effect in the area on the day of the tragedy. Local authorities are investigating the causes of the incident.

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