Rescuers Believe They Solved The Maldives Cave Dive Mystery

A team of expert Finnish cave divers believes they may have uncovered what led to the deaths of five experienced Italian divers who vanished while exploring an underwater cave system in the Maldives last week.

The tragedy, now considered the deadliest diving incident in Maldivian history, unfolded in the Vaavu Atoll near Alimatha Island, where the group entered a deep cave network Thursday but never resurfaced.

The first body recovered was that of diving instructor Gianluca Benedetti, 44, who was found near the entrance of the Thinwana Kandu cave shortly after the group disappeared. The remaining four divers were discovered days later deep inside the cave’s final chamber at a depth of around 165 feet.

The victims included respected marine biology professor Monica Montefalcone, 51, her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, researchers Federico Gualtieri and Muriel Oddenino, and their local guide Benedetti.

Now, Finnish recovery divers working with DAN Europe — a medical and research organization focused on diving safety — say the group may have accidentally entered the wrong tunnel while trying to exit the cave.

According to La Repubblica, the divers were found in a narrow corridor that led to a dead end.

“There was no way out from there,” DAN Europe CEO Laura Marroni told the newspaper.

Marroni explained that the cave system begins with a large, naturally lit chamber before narrowing into a corridor that leads to a second, completely dark chamber. Between the two areas sits a sandbank that can create dangerous confusion for divers attempting to navigate their way back.

While entering the second chamber is relatively straightforward, the sandbank can appear wall-like when turning around to leave, obscuring the correct exit route.

To the left of the sandbank is another short tunnel — one that ultimately ends without an escape route.

“The divers’ bodies were all found inside, as if they had mistaken it for the right one,” Marroni said.