A team of Finnish deep diving specialists has arrived in the Maldives to assist in the ongoing operation to locate missing Italian tourists who disappeared while diving near Alimathaa Resort earlier this month.
The search operation began after five Italian tourists went missing during a diving excursion on the 14th. According to authorities, the group had entered the water without accompanying Maldivian divers.
One of the missing tourists was later found dead inside an underwater cave approximately 60 meters below the surface on the same day the search began.
Following the discovery, the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) launched a specialized high-risk operation involving military divers.
The mission later turned tragic after Sergeant First Class Mohamed Mahdhee fell ill during the operation and died while receiving treatment for decompression sickness.
Authorities subsequently suspended the operation before seeking additional international technical assistance.
Chief Government Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef, known as Mundhu, confirmed that a three-member team of Finnish nationals has now arrived in the country to support the rescue effort.
“These are world-renowned figures in deep diving and deep cave diving,” Mundhu said, adding that the team was brought in following consultations involving Italy, Australia and the United Kingdom.
According to Mundhu, the specialists are linked to an Italian company identified through discussions between multiple international partners assisting the Maldives in the operation. He noted that technical support had also been extended by Italy, the UK, Australia and the United States.
With the arrival of the experts, the search operation is expected to resume in coordination with Coast Guard divers and international specialists.
The incident has drawn significant international attention, while tributes continue to pour in for the late MNDF diver Mahdhee, who lost his life during the dangerous rescue mission.
