Bodies of missing Maldives cave divers found

The bodies of four divers who went missing during an underwater caving trip have been found.

Five Italians died exploring a cave in Vaavu Atoll on Thursday, Italy’s Foreign Ministry said.

The victims were identified last week and included a mother and daughter.

Only one of the bodies was initially recovered and the search was suspended after local military diver, Mohamed Mahudhee, died searching for the remaining four.

However, the search resumed on Monday and all five bodies have been located, the Maldives government said.

The victims were Monica Montefalcone, an associate professor of ecology at the University of Genoa; her daughter, Giorgia Sommacal; marine biologist Federico Gualtieri; researcher Muriel Oddenino; and diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti.

Mr Benedetti was the first to be recovered from near the mouth of the cave on Thursday. Authorities believe the other four entered the cave before they lost their lives.

An investigation is underway to establish the cause of death.

The diving limit in the Maldives is 30m. However, the group is understood to have died at a depth of around 50m below the surface.