Five Italian tourists have died while exploring underwater caves 160ft below the surface in the Maldives.

The group had set off on a diving expedition on Thursday morning to explore the Vaavu atoll, according to local media.

Authorities received reports of the divers’ disappearance at around 1.45pm local time after they failed to resurface at around midday.

During the search and rescue operation, their bodies were discovered.

According to initial reports, the five tourists had boarded the ‘luxury’ Duke of York yacht, a foreign-operated live-aboard diving vessel, and they disappeared near Alimatha, one of the atoll’s most popular diving spots.

One of the victims has been named by Italian newspaper Il Messaggero as 51-year-old Monica Montefalcone, a respected marine biologist, TV personality, and professor of Tropical Marine Ecology and Underwater Science at the University of Genoa.

Her 20-year-old daughter, Giorgia Sommacal, also died.

The other three victims have been named as Muriel Oddenino of Turin, Gianluca Benedetti of Padua, and Federico Gualtieri of Borgomanero.

Montefalcone and Oddenino were colleagues at the University of Genoa.

One of the victims has been named by Italian press as Monica Montefalcone, a professor and researcher at the University of Genoa (pictured)
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One of the victims has been named by Italian press as Monica Montefalcone, a professor and researcher at the University of Genoa (pictured)

Giorgia Sommacal, 20, Monica Montefalcone's daughter, also died
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Giorgia Sommacal, 20, Monica Montefalcone’s daughter, also died

Gianluca Benedetti of Padua was named as one of the people who died on the dive
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Gianluca Benedetti of Padua was named as one of the people who died on the dive

According to initial reports, the five tourists had boarded the Duke of York (pictured), a foreign-operated live-aboard diving vessel, and they disappeared near Alimatha
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According to initial reports, the five tourists had boarded the Duke of York (pictured), a foreign-operated live-aboard diving vessel, and they disappeared near Alimatha

Montefalcone worked at Distav, the Department of Earth Sciences. In the Maldives, she was the scientific director of the island monitoring campaign, according to Italian reports.

Benedetti was an operations manager, as well as a diving instructor and boat captain.

Police have launched an investigation into the tragedy, but the cause of death remains unknown at this time, and no official statement has yet been released.

Local officials said it was the worst single diving accident in the nation of 1,192 tiny coral islands scattered some 500 miles across the equator in the Indian Ocean.

Aircraft and speedboats were deployed for a major search after the group of five was reported missing on Thursday afternoon, the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) said in a statement.

‘One body has been found among five divers who went diving in Vaavu Atoll,’ the statement said.

‘The body was found inside a cave. It is believed that the remaining four divers are also inside the same cave, which extends to a depth of about 60 metres (65 yards).’

Weather conditions at the dive site today were unfavourable, with winds blowing between 25 and 30 miles per hour.

The meteorological service issued a yellow alert for the area this morning, which remains in place.

Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the incident.

‘Following an accident during a scuba dive, five Italians died in the Vaavu atoll, in the Maldives,’ a statement read.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Italian Embassy in Colombo, Sri Lanka, have said they have been ‘contacting the victims’ families to provide any necessary consular assistance’.

Five Italian tourists have died while exploring underwater caves 160 ft below the surface in the Maldives (file image)
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Five Italian tourists have died while exploring underwater caves 160 ft below the surface in the Maldives (file image)

According to local media, some diving experts believe the sudden deaths of multiple divers in this manner may have been caused by oxygen toxicity.

Oxygen toxicity is caused by breathing oxygen at high pressure for a prolonged period, which can cause tissue damage and compromise the central nervous system.

The yacht company, as stated on its official website, provides nitrox – a breathing mixture for scuba diving composed of nitrogen and oxygen.

The ship, built in 2010, is designed to transport passengers to select destinations in the Maldives, specifically chosen for tourists who enjoy scuba diving.

The Duke of York has 11 spacious luxury cabins on three decks, accommodating a total of 21 guests, each paying just over €2,000 for a week-long cruise.

On the lower deck, there are six double, twin or triple cabins.

There is a double cabin on the main deck, while three additional double cabins with sea views are located on the upper deck.

Each cabin has independent air conditioning and a private bathroom.

The common areas include a spacious air-conditioned interior lounge with comfortable seating, a TV, a full entertainment system, and a bar.

The vessel also has a restaurant on the main deck, serving local and Italian cuisine.

Three decks offer panoramic views with comfortable seating, including sun loungers and deck chairs. The crew consists of 13 members.