Mum and daughter among five tourists killed in Maldives scuba diving horror

The group of Italian holiday-makers had been attempting to explore underwater caves in the Indian Ocean when they failed to resurface in bad weather conditions

A mother and daughter are among five Italians have tragically lost their lives while scuba diving in the Maldives. The incident unfolded in Vaavu Atoll, where the group had been attempting to explore underwater caves at a depth of around 165 feet, Italy’s foreign ministry confirmed on Thursday.

The victims have been named by Italian media as university professor Monica Montefalcone and her 20-year-old daughter Giorgia Sommacal. Muriel Oddenino from Turin was also killed in the tragedy along with Gianluca Benedetti from Padua, and Federico Gualtieri from Borgomanero, according to local reports.

As per Maldivian news outlet The Edition, the group were holidaymakers and had been aboard the Duke of York liveaboard diving vessel. The outlet reports that the group vanished during a dive near Alimathaa. They had entered the water in the morning and were reported missing by crew after failing to resurface by midday.

Weather conditions at the dive site were reportedly poor at the time of the incident, reports the Mirror. A yellow weather warning had been issued in Vaavu Atoll earlier in the day and still remains in place as strong winds lashed the islands at up to 30mph.

The ministry stated that an investigation had been initiated by Maldivian authorities. It added that the Italian Embassy in Sri Lanka is liaising with the victims’ families to provide consular assistance.

One of the victims is believed to be a researcher from Genoa, according to Il Sole 24 Ore.

Local police have launched a probe into the incident, with the causes of death yet to be confirmed.

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