Ref: 2026/PR/90
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been working closely with the Ministry of Defence and National Service (Coast Guard of the Maldives National Defence Force), the Ministry of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology (Maldives Police Service), the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation, the Attorney General, the Chief Government Spokesperson and the Government of Italy, following initial reports of the tragic diving incident involving five Italian nationals in Vaavu Atoll on Thursday, 14 May 2026.
On Friday, His Excellency President Dr Mohamed Muizzu accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Iruthisham Adam, visited the site where the body of one of the divers was recovered by the Maldivian authorities on the same day. Search operations for the remaining four missing divers continued until 16 May 2026 and were conducted in accordance with the operational procedures, rules, and code of conduct of the MNDF Coast Guard.
His Excellency the President received briefing on the search operations at the site, for which he expressed appreciation for the valuable efforts of the Coast Guard and the Maldives Police Service, in carrying out the search operation. His Excellency the President also ensured the operation was accorded the highest priority and all necessary support from the Government was extended.
The search operation was subsequently suspended following the tragic demise of MNDF Staff Sergeant Mohamed Mahudhee, who was actively involved in the search operation.
Through coordination with the Embassy of the Italian Republic, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs facilitated the arrival of a team of three Finnish expert divers from the DAN Europe Foundation to support and complement the ongoing efforts of the MNDF Coast Guard and the relevant Maldivian authorities.
The Ambassador of Italy to the Republic to the Maldives, His Excellency Damiano Francovigh, and his delegation are currently in the Maldives to closely monitor developments related to the incident. Ambassador Francovigh also called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives, Her Excellency Iruthisham Adam on 16 May 2026, to express and convey appreciation of the Government of Italy for the messages of condolences extended by His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Her Excellency Iruthisham Adam on behalf of the Government and people of Maldives. In addition, the Ambassador expressed deep sadness for the loss of Staff Sergeant Mohamed Mahudhee.
During the meeting, Minister Iruthisham had assured the Ambassador that His Excellency President Dr. Muizzu gives high importance to the search and recovery operation that is being conducted by the joint teams. The Minister and the Ambassador discussed the ongoing coordination and cooperation efforts of the operation.
The expert divers arrived in the Maldives on 17 May 2026. During the coordinated joint search and recovery operation by the MNDF Coast Guard, Maldives Police Service and DAN Europe Foundation, the bodies of the four missing Italian divers were located inside an underwater cave in Vaavu Atoll, today. Recovery dives are expected to be conducted in the coming days.
ENDS.