News Desk
Staff Sergeant Mohamed Mahdi, the MNDF Coast Guard diver who died after suffering decompression sickness during the search operation for missing Italian tourists in Vaavu Atoll, was buried with full military honours on Saturday night.
His funeral was held at the Islamic Centre in Male’. President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, government officials and a large number of soldiers attended. He was buried at the new cemetery.
Mahdi, 44, was taken to ADK Hospital for treatment after falling ill during the search operation. He died shortly after arrival. He was searching for four Italian tourists and their dive instructor, all of whom went missing on 14 May after entering a deep underwater cave system near Alimatha island. The MNDF Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre received the distress call at 1.45pm that day. A search operation by sea and air was launched immediately.
The dive instructor, also Italian, was the only one whose body has been recovered so far, was found inside a cave at around 60 metres depth. The cave system extends to approximately 60 metres and is believed to still contain the four remaining divers. The maximum permitted depth for recreational diving in the Maldives is 30 metres. The Ministry of Tourism has suspended the operating licence of the vessel involved.
The search operation has been suspended following Mahdi’s death. The government spokesman confirmed the suspension to local media and said experienced divers from Italy, the United Kingdom and Australia will arrive with specialist equipment to assist. Three Finnish divers are also expected. Once the international teams arrive, the operation will resume.
Mahdi’s death has cast a shadow over an operation that was already one of the most dangerous the MNDF has ever undertaken. He gave his life searching for people he had never met, in conditions that pushed the limits of what any diver can safely endure. The force he served has trained military divers from other countries. On Saturday night, the country buried one of its own.
Rest in peace, Staff Sergeant Mohamed Mahdi.
Images: MNDF
