Bodies of missing Italian divers found in Maldives

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Bodies of missing Italian divers found in Maldives10 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleSofia Ferreira SantosandAnbarasan Ethirajan ,Global Affairs CorrespondentInstagram/University of Genoa/Albatros Top BoatAmong the five who died were Giorgia Sommacal (L), her mother Monica Montefalcone (C) and diving instructor Gianluca BenedettiThe bodies of four Italian divers who went missing during a scuba diving accident in the Maldives last week have been found, Italian and Maldivian officials have confirmed to the . One body, belonging to a fifth member of the group, had already been located after the incident on Thursday. The Italian nationals were found inside a 60-metre-deep (197ft) cave in Vaavu Atoll by a joint team of highly trained Finnish and Maldivian divers, according to local authorities.

A rescue diver also died on Saturday while searching for the bodies of the group. "Further dives to be carried out in the coming days to recover the bodies," Mohamed Hossain Shareef, a Maldivian government spokesperson, said in a message to the . The incident is believed to be the worst single diving accident in the tiny Indian Ocean nation, a popular tourist destination because of its string of coral islands.

The Details

Four of the Italian divers were part of a University of Genoa team, including professor of ecology Monica Montefalcone, her daughter and two researchers. It is believed that the four bodies were located in the same underwater cave where the military found the first body on the day of the accident. This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

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The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.