Two of the four Italian divers who died during an expedition in the Maldives have been recovered from the so-called “Shark Cave,” located more than 60 meters below the surface. The recovery operation was carried out by three experienced Finnish rescue divers. According to preliminary reports, the victims are believed to be marine biologist Federico Gualtieri and university professor Monica Montefalcone.
A spokesperson for the Maldivian government said that, after the bodies were located on Monday, the mission moved into the recovery phase on Tuesday. The remaining two bodies are expected to be recovered tomorrow.
Members of the DAN Europe expedition, the organization that coordinated the rescue divers’ intervention, said the four divers were found inside a narrow passage near the cave’s third chamber. When discovered, the bodies were lying close together.