The Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation has suspended the operating license of the vessel “MV Duke of York” following a diving incident in Vaavu Atoll that left an Italian diving instructor dead and four divers missing. The suspension has been issued for an indefinite period.
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Coast Guard’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre received reports of five Italian nationals going missing during a diving expedition in Vaavu Atoll at approximately 1:45 pm on May 14. Upon receiving the information, the MNDF launched a search operation by sea and air.
In a statement on the incident, the Ministry of Tourism confirmed that the operating license of MV Duke of York had been suspended indefinitely pending investigation.
Search and Recovery Efforts
The body of the Italian diving instructor was recovered by divers from a safari vessel who joined the search operation. The remains were located at a depth of approximately 60 metres, just outside the entrance of an underwater cave.
According to the MNDF, the four remaining divers are believed to be inside the cave, which extends roughly 200 feet in length. Coast Guard personnel are continuing what officials have described as a high-risk operation to locate the missing divers.
A Challenging Dive Site
The cave where the divers are believed to be trapped lies in a section of the reef that is considerably deeper than areas typically frequented by tourists and recreational divers visiting the Maldives. The cave entrance begins at a depth of 45 metres, with the exit point reaching down to 60 metres. Diving in this zone requires specialised equipment and is not accessible to standard recreational divers.
Ministry Response
The Ministry of Tourism stated that the license suspension was issued in light of the seriousness of the incident and to allow for a thorough review of the circumstances. The ministry extended its condolences to the families of those affected and acknowledged the efforts of personnel involved in the ongoing search.
Officials emphasised that maintaining the Maldives as a safe destination is a shared responsibility among all stakeholders in the tourism industry. The ministry called on operators to fully comply with established regulations and pledged to take all necessary measures to uphold safety standards across the sector.
