A diver with the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has died during an operation to recover four missing Italian divers in Felidhu Atoll.
The MNDF identified the deceased as Staff Sergeant Mohamed Mahdhee.
“Staff Sergeant Mohamed Mahdhee of the MNDF has passed away after his condition deteriorated while diving today during the search and rescue operation to locate the four divers who went missing in Felidhu Atoll,” the MNDF said in a statement posted on social media.
The Italian divers died last Thursday in a tragic incident inside a cave situated 60 metres underwater. Maldivian Coast Guard divers, however, are typically trained to operate at depths of up to 50 metres.
The MNDF confirmed that the body of one of the five missing divers was recovered from inside the cave at a depth of approximately 60 metres. The bodies of the remaining four are also believed to be inside the cave.
According to diving experts, the entrance to the cave lies at a depth of between 55 and 60 metres.
