MALE, Maldives — The search for four Italian divers missing deep inside a Maldivian underwater cave system was suspended Saturday following the death of a military rescue diver.

Mohamed Mahdi, a member of the Maldivian National Defense Force, died from decompression sickness during the treacherous recovery mission, according to presidential spokesman Mohamed Hussain Shareef.

Monica Montefalcone wearing scuba diving gear underwater

Monica Montefalcone, one of five Italian scuba divers who died near Alimathaa in the Maldives archipelago while exploring an underwater cave, is shown in this undated photo released by Greenpeace Italia on May 15, 2026. (Greenpeace Italia/AP)

The five Italian tourists vanished Thursday during an unauthorized deep dive that far exceeded the country’s recreational diving limits. The victims, identified by the Maldivian government as experienced divers and marine researchers, included University of Genoa ecology professor Monica Montefalcone, her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, marine biologist Federico Gualtieri, researcher Muriel Oddenino, and diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti.

Mohamed Mahdi military photo

Mohamed Mahdi, a member of the Maldivian National Defense Force, died from decompression sickness during the dangerous mission, officials said. (Maldives National Defense Force)

Benedetti’s body was recovered near the cave entrance shortly after the group’s disappearance. Authorities believe the remaining four are trapped approximately 160 feet underwater inside the Vaavu Atoll cave system.

Carlo Sommacal, Montefalcone’s husband, expressed deep skepticism to Italian media. He described his wife as a highly disciplined diver who would never put her daughter or colleagues at risk, stating, “Something must have happened down there.”

Recovery efforts have proven extraordinarily dangerous due to extreme depths, limited oxygen, and the cave’s complex layout, which consists of three large chambers connected by narrow passages. Rescue teams managed to explore two chambers on Friday before severe decompression risks forced them to retreat.

Divers preparing on a boat near Alimathaa Island in the Maldives

Divers prepare to search for four missing Italian divers near Alimathaa Island, Vaavu Atoll, Maldives, on May 15, 2026. (Maldives President’s Media Division/AP)

Albatros Top Boat, the Italian tour operator managing the trip, denied authorizing the deep descent. A lawyer for the company stated the divers appeared to be using standard recreational gear instead of the technical equipment required for deep cave diving. In response, the Maldives Tourism Ministry has suspended the expedition vessel’s operating license pending investigation.

Officials are now awaiting the arrival of three Finnish cave-diving specialists to reassess the recovery strategy.