Search Ends After Recovery of Missing Italian Divers in Vaavu Atoll

The Maldives government has confirmed the recovery of all four Italian nationals who had been missing following the diving incident in Vaavu Atoll on 14 May 2026, bringing the extensive search and rescue operation to a close.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation said the victims recovered were Giorgia Sommacal, Monica Montefalcone, Federico Gualtieri and Muriel Oddenino. Earlier, authorities had recovered Gianluca Benedetti, meaning all five victims of the tragedy have now been accounted for.

The ministry conveyed its condolences to the families and loved ones of the deceased, stating that authorities continue to work closely with the families and Italian diplomatic representatives to ensure all necessary arrangements are handled with care and respect.

The government also praised the efforts of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), Maldives Police Service and especially the Coast Guard for their dedication throughout the difficult operation.

“The scale and difficulty of the effort reflects the highest standards of our national defence and rescue services,” the statement read.

Special appreciation was also extended to Divers Alert Network (DAN) and international specialist teams that assisted Maldivian authorities during the operation.

The ministry further paid tribute to Sergeant First Class Mohamed Mahdi, who lost his life during the rescue mission.

“We continue to honour the memory of Sergeant First Class Mohamed Mahdi, whose sacrifice in the course of this operation will not be forgotten,” the statement said.

The diving incident occurred in Vaavu Atoll, one of the Maldives’ most popular diving destinations, prompting a large-scale multinational search and rescue effort over several days.