The bodies of the final two Italian divers who went missing during a diving excursion in the Maldives have been recovered, according to sources from Italy’s Foreign Ministry (Farnesina). The victims have been identified as Giorgia Sommacal and Muriel Oddenino. The recovery marks the conclusion of a complex and prolonged search operation following the fatal accident that occurred during a dive in the Alimatha cave system.
Earlier on Tuesday, an experienced team of Finnish cave divers had already retrieved the bodies of two other victims, Monica Montefalcone and Federico Gualtieri. In the days prior, the body of Gianluca Benedetti had been located and has already been repatriated to Italy. The tragedy has deeply affected public opinion in Italy and continues to raise questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident, which took place during an organised diving excursion in a well-known diving area of the Maldives.
Meanwhile, Rome prosecutors have opened an investigation into negligent homicide (“omicidio colposo”). Magistrates in Piazzale Clodio are expected to order autopsies as soon as the bodies arrive in Italy, in order to determine the exact causes of death and assess any potential liability. The recovery efforts were particularly challenging due to the cave’s complex underwater geography and difficult environmental conditions, requiring highly specialised diving teams and several days of coordinated operations
News Source: 9Colonne
