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The Maldives has temporarily revoked the operating license of a luxury vessel following the tragic loss of five Italian tourists in the country’s most severe diving accident to date. Rescue operations have been ongoing for a third day to locate three individuals who did not return after a dive scheduled on Thursday. One of the victims’ bodies was recovered that same day.
According to the University of Genoa, the victims included a marine biology professor, her daughter, and two young researchers. Government spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef stated that an investigation has been initiated to determine why the group descended beyond the permitted depth of 30 meters (98 feet). One diver’s body was discovered in a cave at a depth of 60 meters (196 feet), but efforts to find the remaining three members of the group were unsuccessful on Friday.
The Maldives’ Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation announced the indefinite suspension of the liveaboard vessel MV Duke of York’s license as the investigation continues. The vessel, a 36-meter luxury boat capable of accommodating up to 25 guests, is currently under scrutiny.
Italy’s foreign ministry confirmed the deaths of all five of its nationals in the incident. The Maldives, a chain of 1,192 small coral islands scattered approximately 800 kilometers (about 500 miles) along the equator in the Indian Ocean, is renowned for its upscale resorts and dive sites that attract travelers from around the world. Although diving and water sports accidents are relatively uncommon in this South Asian nation, there have been a few fatal incidents reported in recent years.
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