Preliminary autopsy finds 2 Italian divers died from drowning or lack of oxygen

Preliminary autopsy findings indicate that two of the five Italian nationals who died during a cave diving expedition in V. Alimathaa died from drowning or anoxia caused by a lack of oxygen.

The five divers went missing inside an underwater cave on the 14th of this month. One body was recovered on the day of the incident, while the remaining four were retrieved last week by a specialist recovery team from Finland.

The bodies of the four divers were later repatriated to Italy on Saturday.

Italian media outlets reported on Wednesday that preliminary autopsy results had been obtained for two of the victims:

According to reports citing the forensic doctor appointed by the Rome Prosecutor’s Office, both victims are believed to have died after their oxygen supply was exhausted, resulting in anoxia or drowning.

Italian authorities stated that final autopsy reports and further findings are expected within three months.

The case is currently under investigation in Rome as a negligent homicide case.

Reports also state that the Rome Prosecutor’s Office has formally requested cooperation from Maldivian authorities as part of the investigation.

According to Italian media, prosecutors are seeking access to documents related to the Maldives investigation, along with technical analysis of the diving equipment used by the group and footage recovered from GoPro cameras found inside the cave.

Authorities have now cleared the bodies of the deceased for release to their families.