Family questions death certificate of diver Mahudhee

The family of military diver Mohamed Mahudhee, who died during a search operation for two missing Italian tourists in Vaavu Atoll, has raised concerns that his death certificate still states he was "rescued", despite the circumstances surrounding his death remaining under investigation.

Mahudhee died in May while receiving treatment at ADK Hospital after suffering decompression sickness (DCS) during the operation.

At the time, authorities said Mahudhee became separated from the military diving team inside an underwater cave. According to the official account, the team surfaced, realised he was missing, returned underwater to retrieve him and transported him to hospital in critical condition.

As differing accounts of the incident later emerged, the Maldives Police Service opened an investigation into the circumstances leading to his death.

In a post on social media, Mahudhee's younger brother, Faris Ibrahim, said the death certificate continues to state that Mahudhee was "rescued", reflecting the information initially released by the authorities.

"Even on the death certificate, it says 'rescued'. When we requested ADK Hospital to change it, they said they would do so once instructed by the relevant authorities," Faris said.

"It is a matter of great grief for us that this has still not been done."

Faris said the family also raised the matter with Minister of Defence Hassan Rasheed but was informed that the death certificate could not be amended.

He alleged that the family has received little information about the investigation and accused the authorities of withholding information about the incident.

According to Faris, he has spoken with those involved in the operation, representatives of Divers Alert Network (DAN) and the divers who recovered Mahudhee's body. He also said he had reviewed available video footage, including Mahudhee's final GoPro recording.

Faris said the footage indicates that Mahudhee's guideline became detached, causing him to enter the cave.

"What it shows is that by mistake, his guideline slipped off, leading him into the cave," Faris said.

"His dive buddy panicked and became overwhelmed, unable to follow behind him."

He further claimed that Mahudhee's body was eventually recovered by Marine Police divers.

Faris also said Mahudhee's mobile phone remains in police custody as part of the investigation, describing the situation as an additional burden on the family.

The Maldives Police Service and the Maldives National Defence Force have not commented on the family's claims.

No public update has been issued on the police investigation into Mahudhee's death.