Maldives rescuers search for missing Italian divers in underwater cave

Italy says five of its citizens have drowned, including a marine biology professor, her daughter and two young researchers

Rescue teams in the Indian Ocean archipelago of the Maldives searched for a second day Friday for the bodies of four missing Italians following the country’s deadliest diving accident, officials said.

Italy’s foreign ministry said on Thursday night that five citizens had died while diving, with Maldivian authorities recovering one body.

Maldives Minister of Tourism Mohamed Ameen said coastguard officers and security forces were scouring remote seas around where the divers were reported missing on Thursday afternoon.

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic deep diving accident in Vaavu Atoll today,” Ameen said in a statement.

“The coastguard, and all relevant authorities, are actively engaged in the search and recovery operation.”

The University of Genoa said the victims included a marine biology professor, her daughter and two young researchers.