- Five Italian divers died during an underwater cave expedition in the Maldives after failing to resurface on Thursday.
- The group was exploring caves at depths of 50-60 metres in Vaavu Atoll, an area known for strong currents and complex underwater tunnels.
- A distress alert was raised when the divers did not return, and rescue teams later recovered one body, with the remaining four believed to be inside the same cave system.
- The victims were identified as Monica Montefalcone, Giorgia Sommacal, Muriel Oddenino, Federico Gualtieri and Gianluca Benedetti.
- Maldivian authorities are investigating the incident, which is considered one of the most serious diving accidents in the country's history, with rough weather hindering recovery efforts.
IN FULL
Five Italians die while exploring underwater caves in the Maldives