President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has conveyed condolences to Italian President Sergio Mattarella and the people of Italy following the fatal diving incident in Vaavu Atoll that left one Italian dead and four others missing.
In a statement shared on social media, President Muizzu said the Maldives was “deeply saddened” by the tragedy and extended thoughts and prayers to the families of the deceased, the missing divers, and all those affected by the incident.
“The search for the four remaining missing divers remains our highest priority,” the President stated, while also expressing appreciation for the support extended by the Italian government toward the ongoing recovery efforts.
The incident occurred during a diving expedition near Alimathaa in Vaavu Atoll, where a group of Italian tourists reportedly failed to resurface after entering a deep underwater cave system. International media reports said the divers had been exploring depths of around 50 metres during the excursion.
Authorities in the Maldives launched an extensive search and rescue operation involving the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), specialist divers, vessels, and aerial support following reports that the group had gone missing.
Italian authorities have also been coordinating closely with Maldivian officials as recovery operations continue.
International reports identified the divers as part of a group travelling aboard a liveaboard diving vessel operating in the area. Some foreign media outlets later reported fears that all five divers may have died, although official confirmation from Maldivian authorities regarding the final status of the missing individuals had not been publicly released at the time of reporting.
The tragedy has drawn significant attention in both the Maldives and Italy, with investigations ongoing into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
