Rescue diver dies during search for bodies of Italians who drowned in Maldives caves
Staff Sergeant Mohamed Mahdhee died while diving in the search and rescue operation, the Maldives government tells the BBC.
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Notable Quotes
"Staff Sergeant Mohamed Mahdhee was taken to hospital in critical condition after diving as part of the search and rescue operation, and later succumbed to his injuries."
— Staff Sergeant Mohamed Mahdhee , Other
"Maldives presidential spokesman Mohamed Hussain Shareef said the search was suspended after Mohamed Mahudhee died of underwater decompression sickness."
— Mohamed Mahdhee , Other
"Unfortunately, the searches are suspended due to bad weather, but we will do everything possible to recover the bodies of our compatriots."
— Antonio Tajani , Politician
"Something must have happened."
— Carlo Sommacal , Other
"The death goes to show the difficulty of the mission."
— Mohammed Hussain Shareef , Other
"Everything possible would be done to bring the victims home."
— Antonio Tajani , Politician
"We are deeply saddened by this tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased Italian, the missing four Italians and everyone affected."
— Mohamed Muizzu , Politician
"An investigation had been launched into why the group went below the officially permitted depth of 30 metres."
— Mohamed Hussain Shareef , Other
"These days of grief for Italy are compounded by the news that one of your brave soldiers... died while attempting to dive to reach the bodies of our fellow Italians."
— Antonio Tajani , Politician
"An investigation had been launched into why the group went below the officially permitted depth of 30 metres (98 feet)."
— Mohamed Hussain Shareef , Other
Key People
Foreign Minister of Italy who criticized the IPC's decision.
Monica Montefalcone's husband, who commented on her diving experience.
He is a diving instructor who graduated from the University of Genoa.
He is a diving instructor from Padua, and the operations manager for Albatros Top Boat.
She is the daughter of Monica Montefalcone.
Chief government spokesman for the Maldives.
Staff Sergeant of the Maldivian National Defense Force who died during a search and rescue operation.
A member of the Maldivian National Defense Force who died during a rescue operation.
President of the Maldives.
Presidential Spokesman for the Maldives.
She is an Ecology professor at the University of Genoa.
She is a researcher from Poirino.
Staff Sergeant Mohamed Mahdhee was a rescue diver involved in a search and rescue operation in the Maldives.
A rescue diver who died during a search operation in the Maldives.
Tags
All Coverage
Staff Sergeant Mohamed Mahdhee died while diving in the search and rescue operation, the Maldives government tells the BBC.
Maldivian authorities suspended the search for four missing Italian divers after Staff Sergeant Mohamed Mahudhee died from decompression sickness during the recovery mission in Vaavu Atoll's underwater cave.
The recovery operation in the Maldives to retrieve the bodies of four Italian divers trapped in an underwater cave was suspended due to rough seas, with one body recovered and three others still missing.
Staff Sergeant Mohamed Mahdhee died while searching for the bodies of four Italians who drowned in a scuba-diving accident in the Maldives, marking the worst single diving accident in the nation.
Divers in the Maldives resumed the search for the bodies of four Italian divers believed to be deep inside an underwater cave, after rough weather hampered the effort the previous day.
A search diver has died while looking for the bodies of tourists who had been exploring underwater caves in the Maldives, the country's president has revealed.
A rescue diver in the Maldives searching for the bodies of four Italians, who drowned in the deadliest diving disaster in the Indian Ocean tourist destination, has also died, authorities said Saturday.
A rescue diver has died while searching for the bodies of four Italians who died in a diving accident in the Maldives, marking the worst single diving accident in the nation.
A rescue diver in the Maldives searching for the bodies of four Italians, who drowned in the deadliest diving disaster in the Indian Ocean tourist destination, has also died, authorities said Saturday.
A Maldivian military diver died Saturday while searching for the bodies of four Italian divers believed to be deep inside an underwater cave, highlighting the difficulty of the mission.
A rescue diver has died while searching for the bodies of four Italians who died in a scuba-diving accident in the Maldives, marking the worst single diving accident in the nation.
Similar Stories
Related coverage based on topic and tags
Bombs preventing rescue of kidnapped youths, Nigerian police say
The father of one of the 19 young abductees tells the BBC he hasn't eaten in three days out of worry.
October 5, 2026 at 12:59 PMThree men found guilty of murdering two Australian surfer brothers and US friend
The bodies of Jake and Callum Robinson and their friend Carter Rhoad were found at the bottom of a well.
October 9, 2026 at 09:55 PMShip sinks and crew missing after Black Sea drone attack
It is not clear who is behind the attacks which come as Russia intensifies strikes in the Black Sea as part of its war against Ukraine.
October 6, 2026 at 11:53 AMAll six passengers presumed dead after plane went missing off US coast
The aircraft lost communication with flight controllers after significantly dropping in altitude, according to flight data.
October 5, 2026 at 04:00 AMAustralian Army soldier dies and five others injured during training exercise - Reuters
Australian Army soldier dies and five others injured during training exercise Reuters
October 5, 2026 at 10:56 PMRussia says tanker crew rescued in Black Sea after attack set ship ablaze - Reuters
Russia says tanker crew rescued in Black Sea after attack set ship ablaze Reuters
October 6, 2026 at 10:21 PM