News Desk
Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam met with the Italian Ambassador to the Maldives, Damiano Francovigh, on Saturday evening to convey condolences over the diving tragedy in Vaavu Atoll and to discuss the ongoing search for four missing Italian nationals.
The meeting followed the death of MNDF Staff Sergeant Mohamed Mahdi, who lost his life during the search operation after suffering decompression sickness. The Foreign Minister expressed the government’s deep sadness over his loss. Ambassador Francovigh conveyed Italy’s condolences to the Mahdi family and the MNDF, and expressed sincere appreciation for the continued search efforts.
Both sides reaffirmed the importance of close cooperation between Maldivian and Italian authorities during this difficult time.
The search operation remains on halt following Mahdi’s death. International dive teams from Italy, the United Kingdom and Australia are expected to arrive with specialist equipment before the operation resumes.
The five Italian tourists went missing on 14 May after entering a deep underwater cave system near Alimatha island in Vaavu Atoll. The body of the dive instructor has been recovered. The four remaining divers are believed to be inside the cave at around 60 metres depth.
