Italy opens criminal probe into fatal Maldives cave dive
Two bodies were recovered on Tuesday from the third chamber of the cave at a depth of approximately 200 feet.
Authorities in the Maldives and Italy have launched investigations into the diving incident near Alimatha in Vaavu Atoll that resulted in the deaths of five Italian nationals.
The incident took place last Thursday during a cave diving expedition.
The body of one diver was recovered on the day of the incident, while the remaining victims were located on Monday during a joint search operation involving the Maldives National Defence Force, the Maldives Police Service and three Finnish divers from DAN Europe.
Two bodies were recovered on Tuesday from the third chamber of the cave at a depth of approximately 200 feet.
Efforts to recover the remaining two bodies are continuing.
According to Italian news agency ANSA, Italian prosecutors have opened a culpable homicide investigation into the incident.
The report stated that:
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Autopsies will be carried out on all five victims after their bodies are returned to Italy
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Statements will be obtained from the crew and management of the safari vessel MV Duke of York
In comments to the Associated Press, government spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef said Maldivian authorities are examining whether the organisers had implemented the required safety measures and planning procedures for the dive.
The expedition, led by Monica Montefalcone of the University of Genoa, was reported missing last Thursday.
Officials stated that the dive involved risks linked to depth, underwater currents and visibility conditions inside the cave.
The victims were identified as:
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Monica Montefalcone, 51, professor at the University of Genoa
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Giorgia Somacal, 20, university student and daughter of Montefalcone
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Muriel Odenino, 31, university researcher
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Federico Gualtieri, 31, university researcher
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Gianluca Benedetti, 41, diving instructor
The search and recovery operation also resulted in the death of Mohamed Mahudhee, an MNDF diver who died during the operation on Saturday.
