(Adnkronos) – Italy’s ambassador to Sri Lanka has arrived in the Maldives, where operations are underway to recover the bodies of five Italians killed in a deep water cave, the foreign ministry said in a statement on Friday.
The group had been exploring underwater caves in the Vaavu Atoll at a depth of around 50 metres on Thursday, the ministry said. It gave no further details on the victims’ identies or the cause of the tragedy but said all five divers were Italian nationals and that an investigation had begun.
“At present, weather conditions may prevent the commencement of recovery operations; however, an initial dive aimed at exploring the access points of the cave is expected to be carried out, pending an improvement in weather conditions,” said the statement.
The ambassador was due to have a meeting with coast guard officials in the Maldives capital, Male, according to the statement.
Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani is tracking the case and has asked the ambassador to keep in close contact with local authorities, according to a separate ministry statement.
One of the divers’ bodies was recovered on Thursday and the embassy is assisting the other 20 Italians aboard the ‘Duke of York’ vessel who belong to the expedition in which the five deceased divers were were taking part, the statement said.
The Red Crescent has offered pschological support to the passengers on the ‘Duke of York’, which was due to return to Male when weather conditions improved, the statement noted.
Embassy staff are in touch with the divers’ family members and are ready to assist them with any “necessary procedures” the statement added.
