MALE, Maldives — The bodies of four Italian divers who vanished during a deep-water excursion in the Maldives have been found trapped inside an underwater “shark cave,” days after their disappearance.

The grim discovery brings a tragic end to a treacherous search operation in the Vaavu Atoll that previously claimed the life of a Maldivian military rescue diver.

Monica Montefalcone wearing scuba diving gear underwater

Monica Montefalcone, one of five Italian scuba divers who died near Alimathaa in the Maldives archipelago while exploring an underwater cave, is shown in this undated photo released by Greenpeace Italia on May 15, 2026. (Greenpeace Italia/AP)

The four victims were part of a group of five Italian tourists and marine researchers who went missing last Thursday during an unauthorized dive that plunged far beyond the country’s 98-foot recreational limit. The body of the fifth member, diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti, was recovered near the cave’s entrance shortly after the group vanished.

Authorities had believed the remaining four—university ecology professor Monica Montefalcone, her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, marine biologist Federico Gualtieri, and researcher Muriel Oddenino—swam deeper into the labyrinthine cave system, which consists of three large chambers connected by narrow, perilous passages.

Mohamed Mahdi military photo

Mohamed Mahdi, a member of the Maldivian National Defense Force, died from decompression sickness during the dangerous mission, officials said. (Maldives National Defense Force)

Search and recovery efforts had been temporarily suspended over the weekend due to the extreme depth of roughly 160 feet, thick silt, and severe decompression risks. The operation resumed and concluded following the arrival of specialized Finnish cave-diving experts who assisted local coast guard units in finally navigating the hostile terrain to reach the victims.

Divers preparing on a boat near Alimathaa Island in the Maldives

Divers prepare to search for four missing Italian divers near Alimathaa Island, Vaavu Atoll, Maldives, on May 15, 2026. (Maldives President’s Media Division/AP)

Investigations remain ongoing into the tour operator, Albatros Top Boat, whose expedition vessel license was suspended following reports that the group was using standard recreational gear instead of the technical equipment required for such a dangerous deep-cave descent.