THE search for the bodies of five Italian divers who died while exploring an underwater cave in the Maldives has been called off for today.
Local authorities suspended the high-risk operation due to bad weather – as heartbreaking tributes continue to pour in for the tragic tourists.
Giorgia Sommacal and her mum died in the tragedy Credit: UGC/UNPIXS
Muriel Oddenino was one of the five divers who died while exploring the Maldives Credit: Facebook
One of the bodies, belonging to Gianluca Benedetti, has been found – but emergency services are yet to locate the four others.
Monica Montefalcone, an associate ecology professor at the University of Genoa, her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, researcher Muriel Oddenino and marine biologist Federico Gualtieri, also died in the sea expedition.
The group are believed to have been exploring 160ft beneath the surface of the water in the Vaavu atoll.
All five of them, understood to be experienced divers, entered a cave which contains three parts – two of which were searched on Friday.
Monica Montefalcone, one of the five Italian scuba divers who died near Alimathaa in the Maldives archipelago Credit: AP
It is hoped that the last four bodies will be found after emergency services explore the final section when the search is resumed.
Italian media reports have speculated that the group may have been diving too deep, past local regulations.
Deep diving beyond 100 feet is reportedly banned in the Maldives.
Written permission from authorities is needed in order to explore deeper than this – and investigators are probing whether the five divers had the correct documentation.
Federico Gualtieri, 30, was on the dive
Professional diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti is also missing
Italian authorities are working with their Maldivan counterparts to conduct the gruelling search.
Additional personnel have been deployed to the Asian islands to support the operation.
More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online
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