\nGiorgia Sommacal was one of the five who died(Image: Instagram\/Giorgia Sommacal)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/div>\n
Mr Mahudhee was amongst the team that briefed Maldives president Mohamed Muizzu on the rescue strategy during his visit to the search location on Friday.<\/p>\n
Severe weather conditions have consistently disrupted recovery attempts. Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani pledged that every effort would be made to return the victims home.<\/p>\n
His ministry confirmed it was liaising with Divers Alert Network, a specialist diving organisation, to assist recovery operations and the repatriation of the remains.<\/p>\n
The circumstances surrounding the fatalities remain under investigation. The victims have been named as 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, according to the Maldivian government.<\/p>\n
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\nMonica Montefalcone(Image: artefici della trasformazione digitale\/YouTube)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/div>\n
Mr Benedetti’s body was recovered on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Ms Montefalcone and Ms Oddenino were in the Maldives on an official scientific mission to monitor marine environments and study the impact of climate change on tropical biodiversity, the University of Genoa confirmed.<\/p>\n
However, the university clarified that the scuba diving activity during which the tragic accident took place was not part of the scheduled research and was “undertaken privately”.<\/p>\n
The statement also noted that the two other victims \u2013 student Ms Sommacal and recent graduate Mr Gualtieri \u2013 were not participating in the scientific mission.<\/p>\n
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\nMuriel Oddenino(Image: Facebook\/Muriel Oddenino)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/div>\n
Cave diving is a highly specialised and perilous activity that necessitates specific training, equipment and stringent safety measures.<\/p>\n
The risks escalate dramatically in environments where divers cannot ascend directly and at depth, especially under poor conditions.<\/p>\n
Experts warn that it’s easy to become disoriented or lost inside caves, particularly as sediment clouds can drastically reduce visibility.<\/p>\n
Diving at 50 metres also surpasses the maximum depth recommended for recreational divers by most major established scuba certifying bodies, with depths beyond 40 metres categorised as technical diving and necessitating specialised training and equipment.<\/p>\n
Mr Shareef stated that Mr Benedetti’s body was discovered near the cave’s entrance and it is believed the remaining four individuals had entered the cave.<\/p>\n
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\nAerial drone footage of Fulidhoo, an island in Vaavu Atoll of Maldives(Image: Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/button><\/div>\n
Two Italians, a deep-sea rescue specialist and a cave diving expert, are set to join the recovery operation, according to Mr Shareef.<\/p>\n
Italian authorities confirmed that approximately 20 other Italians participating in the same expedition aboard the vessel Duke of York were safe.<\/p>\n
Italy’s embassy in Colombo is providing support to those onboard and has reached out to the Red Crescent, which has offered to send volunteers to provide psychological support.<\/p>\n
The Maldives tourism ministry announced that it has suspended the operating licence of the Duke of York pending an investigation.<\/p>\n
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\nDivers preparing to search for the four missing Italian divers<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n
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The Italian foreign ministry explained that the cave is split into three large chambers linked by narrow passages.<\/p>\n
Recovery teams explored two of the three chambers on Friday, but the search was restricted due to concerns over oxygen and decompression.<\/p>\n
On Saturday, they plan to explore the third chamber, the ministry added.<\/p>\n
Italian officials and the honorary consul are maintaining contact with the victims’ families to offer assistance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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