A Maldivian diver has apparently died in the search for the bodies of five Italian tourists killed in a scuba excursion earlier this week, according to a report.
Sergeant Major Mohamed Mahudhee fell sick during the third day of recovery operations in Vaavu Atoll, according to The Sun, which translated an X post by the Maldivian military.
Mohamed Mahudhee was searching for the divers who died in the Maldives. X/MNDF_Official This photograph shared by the Maldives President’s Media Division, shows divers preparing to search for the tourists. Maldives Presidents Media Division via AP Mahudhee was rushed to the hospital, but didn’t survive.
“His courage, sacrifice, and service to the nation will always be remembered. Our deepest condolences to his family and colleagues,” the military reportedly stated, according to the outlet.
Mahudhee was one of eight divers on the recovery mission to find the bodies of Monica Montefalcone, a marine biology professor at the University of Genoa, and her 20-year-old daughter, Giorgia Sommacal, who vanished during the Thursday plunge.
Muriel Oddenino of Turin, Gianluca Benedetti of Padua, and Federico Gualtieri of Borgomanero also failed to resurface from the 160-foot dive into an underwater cave.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
