New images show the underwater cave in the Maldives where five Italian divers lost their lives as investigators continue probing the tragedy.
The first images from inside the underwater cave in the Maldives where five Italian divers died have now been released.
Four of the victims’ bodies were repatriated to Milan on Saturday, May 23, as Italian prosecutors continue a manslaughter investigation into the devastating incident.
The tragedy unfolded in a cave located at least 60 feet underwater. The victims were identified as 52-year-old marine biologist Monica Montefalcone, her 22-year-old daughter Giorgia Sommacal, marine biologist Federico Gualtieri, 31, researcher Muriel Oddenino, 31, and diving instructor and boat captain Gianluca Benedetti.
The group was reported missing after failing to surface from the dive.
Now, haunting new photographs taken by one of the Finnish divers involved in the recovery mission have shed light on the dangerous conditions inside the so-called “shark cave.”
Rescue diver reveals cave conditions
The images were captured by Finnish recovery diver Sami Paakkarinen, who helped search for the victims. According to him, the group was only around 15 minutes from reaching the surface when disaster struck.
“Unfortunately, in most cave diving accidents, the main cause is always human error,” Paakkarinen said.
The first photos were taken close to the cave entrance, where sunlight was still visible through the water. This is reportedly where Benedetti was found, separated from the rest of the group.
Investigators believe he may have tried to escape but ran out of air near the cave mouth.
The second set of photos offers a look deeper inside the cave system, where visibility drops dramatically.
Sediment may have clouded visibility
Paakkarinen explained that underwater cave environments can become deadly in seconds. Even a small movement of a diver’s fins can stir sediment from the ocean floor, clouding visibility and leaving divers effectively blind.
It is believed this may have caused the group to become disoriented. Paakkarinen also claimed the divers lacked essential cave-diving equipment.
“The equipment we found them with wasn’t optimal, they weren’t using underwater caving gear,” he said.
He added that the absence of a diving reel or guide rope may have played a critical role.
“In general, for those who visit caves, it’s known that it’s not very wise to do so without a safety line.”
The investigation continues
The Italian company that sold trips aboard the yacht involved in the excursion has stated that the operator allegedly did not know the group intended to exceed the legal recreational diving depth limit.
The company claimed the dive would not have been permitted had they been aware of the plans.
Meanwhile, Maldivian authorities have suspended the operating licence of the Duke of York liveaboard indefinitely as the investigation continues.
The recovery mission also turned tragic when a member of the Maldives National Defence Force search-and-rescue team died during diving operations connected to the incident.
READ MORE:
- Husband who lost wife and daughter in Maldives scuba diving tragedy breaks silence with powerful claim
- How only survivor of deadly Maldives scuba diving trip managed to escape death
