Maldives Police Service has stated that it is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Mohamed Mahdhee, who passed away while taking part in efforts to recover missing divers in Vaavu Atoll.

Mahdhee, a Staff Sergeant First Class of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), died last Saturday while receiving treatment at ADK Hospital for decompression sickness.

The incident occurred during a recovery operation for four Italian tourists and an Italian diving instructor who went missing last Thursday while exploring an underwater cave near Alimatha at a depth of around 60 metres. Police said investigations into the circumstances leading to Mahdhee’s death are now underway, although no further details have yet been released.

Following Mahdhee’s death, the recovery operation was temporarily suspended. However, a specialised team of three experienced divers from Finland later arrived in the Maldives and resumed the mission with assistance from the MNDF and police.

Authorities said the team located the missing divers inside the cave during their first three-hour dive. The bodies of two divers were recovered on Tuesday, while the remaining two bodies were recovered yesterday.

The Government stated that it is now coordinating with the Italian government to repatriate the bodies. Authorities also confirmed that the body of Muriel Odenino, who was found dead on the first day of the incident, has already been sent back to Italy.