Govt commends responders after Vaavu cave tragedy that claimed six lives including MNDF officer

The army and police have been formally appreciated for their involvement in the special diving operation following the deaths of five Italian divers inside an underwater cave in Vaavu Atoll.

The operation was launched after five tourists went missing while diving from a safari near Vaavu Atoll on the 14th of last month.

A soldier who joined the search effort also died during the operation. He was identified as MNDF Coast Guard Staff Sergeant Mohamed Mahudhy.

Home Minister Ali Ihusaan and Defense Minister Hassan Rasheed represented the President at a ceremony held to acknowledge the soldiers and police officers who took part in the operation.

The ceremony was attended by Commissioner of Police Ahmed Mohamed, Chief of Defense Force Major General Ibrahim Hilmy, and senior officers from both institutions.

ވ. އަތޮޅުގައި ހިންގި ޑައިވިންގ އޮޕަރޭޝަންގައި ބައިވެރިވި ސިފައިންނާއި ފުލުހުންގެ ހިދުމަތުގެ އަގު ރައީސުލްޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ ވަޒަންކުރައްވައިފިhttps://t.co/CdOhDFENVx

— Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) June 17, 2026

Police and army personnel who participated in the diving operation in the atoll were also present.

Foreign experts were brought in to assist in the search for the missing Italian divers. The operation was later led by three Finnish specialists who arrived in the Maldives at the request of the Italian government.

The bodies of the tourists were recovered from the cave where they had been diving, V. Alimatha Cave.

Their bodies were recovered on May 20, in an incident that drew international attention.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella has awarded the three Finnish divers the country’s highest honour, the Order of Merit, for their efforts in recovering the bodies.