Five Italian divers died in the Maldives during an underwater expedition in a cave approximately 50 to 60 meters deep. The case, already described by authorities as the most serious diving accident in the country, led to the launch of a search and recovery operation for the bodies classified as “high risk”.
There were 20 Italians on board the vessel Duke of York, in addition to the five victims: Monica Montefalcone (teacher), daughter Giorgia Sommacal (Biomedical Engineering student), Gianluca Benedetti (diving instructor), Federico Gualtieri (diving instructor and graduate in Marine Biology and Ecology) and Muriel Oddenino of Poirino (researcher from Turin).
According to the local press, the five Italians entered the water on Thursday morning and began a fishing expedition. scientific-biological character and will have entered a cave located between 50 and 60 meters deepin the Vaavu atoll region. The alert was given around lunchtime, after the group did not return to the surface as planned.
“The dive was supposed to last less than an hour. They dived at 11am and, when around 12pm we didn’t see them return to the surface, we started looking for them with the boat,” one of the crew on board told the news agency cited by
One of the Italians who did not participate in the expedition stated that the weather conditions were not at all adverse at the time of diving, adding that, on the contrary, they will have got worse later.
Maldivian authorities are still investigate whether the Duke of York vessel complied with local diving rulesnamely the 30 meter depth limit and the licenses required for scientific expeditions. Recreational diving below this depth is prohibitedexcept for duly authorized exceptions.
Search operations are “high risk”
Divers only very experienced They can reach depths of around 50 meters or more. Therefore, reaching the caves where the tragedy occurred is not a dive for everyone.
So far, only the body of one of the five Italian divers, identified as Gianluca Benedetti31 years old. The body was recovered inside the cave, about 60 meters deep, where it is believed that the remains could also be found. remaining missing.
Search operations, considered “high risk”were suspended this Friday due to adverse weather conditions in the region, including strong wind and one yellow alertand should be resumed this Saturday. Authorities highlighted specialized divers, vessels and air support for the operation.
What was the cause of death?
How does it explain one of the possible causes of death under analysis is hyperoxia. This situation occurs when the oxygen is breathed under excessive pressurewhich can become toxic to the nervous system and lungs, in a sudden and dangerous way.
In diving, there are security limits (around 1.4 bar during the active phase of immersion and 1.6 bar during decompression stops), according to the Italian newspaper.
To reduce this risk and others associated with depth, special gas mixtureslike the Nitroxwhich allows you to extend recreational diving time. In deeper and more technical dives, mixtures such as Trimix and the Helioxwhich help prevent narcosis and reduce respiratory effort.
