Malé, Maldives, May 21, 2026 — DAN Europe confirms the conclusion of the underwater operational phase of the international search & recovery mission conducted at the Dhekunu Kandu dive site, Vaavu Atoll, Maldives.

Today’s dive marked the final in-water intervention carried out by the Finnish specialist rescue team coordinated by DAN Europe, together with the surface support teams and in close cooperation with the Maldives National Defence Force, the Maldivian Coast Guard and Police diving units, and the Italian authorities in Malé.

Weather and sea conditions were more demanding than in previous days, with strong wind, surface current, and a slight increase in decompression complexity. The dive started approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes later than originally planned, with approximately 50 minutes of work inside the cave, in a dive of about 3 hours.

The objectives of today’s dive included the so-called scene clean-up: the removal of temporary guide lines, operational references, and equipment placed inside the cave system during the recovery phase, as well as the verification and recovery of additional items remaining on site that may be relevant to the ongoing investigation. This procedure follows recognised best practices, which require divers to restore the environment and remove traces of operational activity wherever possible. All recovered material, including equipment belonging to victims, rescuers, and previous operational teams, were handed over to the Maldivian Police and formally seized as part of the ongoing investigation.

Diving operations were conducted according to established tech & cave diving team procedures, with clearly assigned operational roles including recovery work, safety support, and documentation. The team used closed-circuit rebreathers (CCR), DPVs, and redundant systems designed for deep overhead environments. These technologies enabled them to safely operate for extended periods inside the cave while optimising decompression, mobility, and safety.

DAN Europe wishes to sincerely thank all individuals, institutions, and operational teams involved in making this highly complex international mission possible.

Special thanks

(in alphabetical order)

Finnish Diving Rescue Team

• Sami Paakkarinen
• Jenni Westerlund
• Patrik Grönqvist

Maldivian Authorities and Operational Teams

• Abdulla Niyaf (Chief Medical Officer, ADK)
• Ahmed Siyam (LTC, Director Maritime Operations, MNDF Coast Guard)
• Maldives National Defence Force Coast Guard (Operational coordination and support)
• Maldivian Coast Guard and Police Diving Units (Operational diving support)

Italian Authorities

• Alberto Arcidiacono (Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Italy in Sri Lanka)
• Damiano Francovigh (Italian Ambassador to Colombo)
• Filippo Romano (Counselor, MAECI)
• Francesca D’Antonio (Embassy of Italy in Colombo)
• Giorgia Marazzi (Italian Honorary Consul)

DAN Europe Headquarters and Field Team

• Alessandro Marroni (President and Founder, DAN Europe)
• Chiara Ferri (Medical Director, DAN Europe)
• Cristian Pellegrini (Marketing and Communications Manager, DAN Europe)
• Giuseppe D’Amato (DAN Europe Representative in the Maldives)
• Greta Marcelli (DAN Europe Representative in the Maldives)
• Guy Thomas (Safety Director, DAN Europe)
• Laura Marroni (CEO, DAN Europe)
• Manuela Tuccella (Media Communication & Dissemination Manager, DAN Europe)
• Marta Marrocco (Director, Assistance & Claims Services, DAN Europe)
• Sara Roncati (PR Manager, DAN Europe)

Logistics and Local Support

• Abdulla Nashiz (NAKAI Alimathà Resort)
• Alberto Gherli (White Wave Maldives, Logistics Support Team)
• Federico Piu (NAKAI Alimathà Resort, Logistics Support Team)
• Ismail Yameen (Logistics Support Team)
• Marc Kouwenberg (Aquaventure Tec Center, Logistics Support Team)
• Marco Mignoli (NAKAI Alimathà Resort)
• Mohamed Rifshan Shaheem (Scuba Divine Maldives Dhangethi)

• Nashiz Abdulla (NAKAI Alimathà Resort)

• Hyperbaric team Bandos Medical Clinic

The mission concludes in memory of the six victims of this tragedy: the five Italian divers and the Maldivian officer who lost his life during the rescue operations.

DAN-led mission completes victim recovery in the Maldives as mission continues

The team concludes the main recovery phase after three days of technical cave operations. Final mission activities will continue tomorrow.

Malé, Maldives, May 20, 2026 — DAN Europe confirms that the international search & recovery mission coordinated in support of Maldivian and Italian authorities has successfully completed the recovery of all victims involved in the Dhekunu Kandu diving tragedy.

Today’s operation marked the completion of the main recovery phase following another tech dive in the cave, carried out by the Finnish recovery team, in close collaboration with the Maldives National Defence Force, local police forces, and in constant contact with the Italian authorities in Malé.

Favourable sea conditions during the morning allowed the team to execute the planned dive efficiently and without complications. As in previous days, all three divers entered the cave system with clearly defined roles, including victim recovery, operational safety support, and underwater documentation of both the intervention and the dive site itself.

The operation lasted approximately three hours and was conducted using advanced technical diving systems including closed-circuit rebreathers (CCR), DPVs, and redundant configurations designed for deep overhead environments.

The primary objective assigned to two of the team members was the careful transport of the remaining victims through narrow passages inside the cave system while preserving both rescuer safety and the integrity of the victims. Challenges included potential entanglement hazards and visibility reduction caused by disturbed sediment, all of which were successfully managed by the team throughout the dive. A third diver provided operational safety support and documented the intervention in depth, in line with established cave diving team procedures and best practices commonly adopted in recovery operations.

“First of all, we would like to express our deepest condolences to the families of the divers who lost their lives. The reason we responded to the request for help was our desire to assist in this heartbreaking situation. After three days of operations, all of the missing divers have now been recovered and are on their way home.

A huge thank you to DAN Europe, the Italian Embassy, the Maldivian Defence Forces, the police, and all the other volunteers: without you, this would not have been possible.

We would also like to give a big thank you to everyone for the many encouraging messages we have received”. - The Finnish rescue team (Sami Paakkarinen, Jenni Westerlund, Patrik Grönqvist)

Although the main recovery phase has now been completed, the mission itself is not yet over. Tomorrow, the team is expected to conduct what will likely be the final operational dive of the mission. In accordance with best practices, the divers will return to the site to remove guide lines and operational equipment placed inside the cave system during the recovery efforts, restoring the environment and removing traces of human intervention wherever possible. Given the ongoing investigation, this phase also carries additional importance.

The team will also attempt to further document and map sections of the cave system in order to share additional information with the Maldivian authorities.

DAN Europe wishes to reiterate that throughout the entire mission, both operational choices and communications have been guided by two priorities: the safety of the recovery team and the utmost respect for the victims and their families.

Our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones affected by this tragedy.

DAN-led recovery mission retrieves two victims in the Maldives

International team completes first recovery phase during today’s technical cave operations. Remaining recovery operations planned for tomorrow, weather permitting.

Malé, Maldives, May 19, 2026 — DAN Europe confirms that two of the four victims involved in the Dhekunu Kandu diving tragedy have now been successfully recovered during today’s operational phase of the international search & recovery mission currently underway in the Maldives.

The recovery operation was carried out this morning by the specialist technical and cave diving team coordinated by DAN Europe, working in close collaboration with the Maldives National Defence Force and police forces, and in constant contact with the Italian authorities in Malé.

During the operation, the team conducted again a deep penetration dive inside the cave system using advanced equipment including Rebreathers, DPVs (underwater scooters), and redundant life-support systems. The Finnish recovery team successfully transported two of the victims from inside the cave system to approximately 30 metres depth, where the Maldivian recovery teams, operating in coordinated deep and shallow support groups, completed the transfer to the surface.

Once recovered, the victims were respectfully transferred onto stretchers and brought aboard Coast Guard vessels.

The specialist dive team has now safely completed the operation and safely concluded the long decompression phase.

Weather and sea conditions permitting, operations aimed at recovering the remaining two victims are expected to continue tomorrow.

“The Finnish rescue team would like to express its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wishes to do its part in helping bring them home. Special thanks go to the Italian Embassy, DAN Europe, and the Maldivian authorities for assisting the team — this operation requires the efforts of dozens of people. Today, two of the victims were recovered from the cave, and over the coming days we will continue the work to bring the others home. We kindly ask for privacy and working peace during the operation. Thank you all for your support.” - Sami Paakkarinen, as part of the Finnish rescue team

“Today’s operation required further coordination, technical skills, and mutual trust between the international dive team and the Maldivian authorities managing the intervention locally. We are deeply grateful to everyone involved for the professionalism, humanity, and respect shown throughout these difficult operations.” - Laura Marroni, CEO, DAN Europe

DAN Europe wishes to reiterate that both the mission itself and all related communications will always be guided by two priorities: the safety of the operational team involved in the recovery efforts, and the utmost respect for the victims and their families.

We kindly ask media outlets, social media pages, and members of the public to respect the dignity of the victims by refraining from sharing or publishing any photos or videos related to the recovered bodies or the recovery procedures.

Our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones affected by this tragedy.

DAN-led mission locates all four missing divers in the Maldives

International specialist team successfully locates all four victims during first technical cave dive. Recovery operations to continue in the coming days.

Malé, Maldives, May 18, 2026 — DAN Europe confirms that the international search & recovery team deployed to the Maldives has successfully completed the first operational objective of the mission following today’s initial technical cave dive at the Dhekunu Kandu site, in Vaavu Atoll.

The dive began this morning at approximately 08:30 CET and lasted around three hours. During this first operational intervention, the specialist team successfully explored the underwater cave system, assessed environmental and operational conditions, located all four victims still missing, and gathered the critical information required to plan the next phases of the recovery operation.

This marks an important milestone in an operation that remains technically demanding, emotionally challenging, and operationally complex.

The three specialists are technical and cave divers with extensive international experience in high-complexity search & recovery missions, including operations in deep overhead environments, confined spaces, and high-risk scenarios.

To complete today’s mission, the team operated using advanced technical systems, including closed-circuit rebreathers, high-performance DPVs (Diver Propulsion Vehicles), and fully redundant life-support configurations. These technologies enabled the divers to safely conduct an extended penetration dive in a deep cave environment while maintaining exceptionally high operational safety margins.

A rebreather is a closed-circuit diving system that recycles exhaled breathing gas, removes carbon dioxide through a chemical scrubber, and automatically replaces metabolised oxygen. This allows for significantly longer dives, minimal bubble production, reduced gas consumption, and precise control of breathing gas composition, capabilities essential in complex cave recovery operations.

The coming days will be dedicated to the highly delicate recovery procedures. Additional information regarding operational planning and recovery timelines will be communicated in the coming hours as coordination continues with the Maldives National Defence Force and the relevant Italian authorities in Malé.

“Today’s result is the outcome of extraordinary preparation, technical excellence, and exceptional teamwork. We are deeply grateful to the specialists on site, who are operating with professionalism, discipline, and humanity in demanding environments.” -  Laura Marroni, CEO, DAN Europe

Our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of the victims during this difficult time.

Team deployed in the Maldives as DAN Europe supports ongoing search & recovery operations

Specialist divers on site. Equipment preparation underway ahead of tomorrow’s operational dive.

Malé, Maldives, May 17, 2026 — DAN Europe confirms that the international search & recovery team mobilised over the past 48 hours has safely arrived in the Maldives and is currently completing equipment preparation, operational briefings, and final mission planning ahead of the first planned dive tomorrow morning.

DAN has worked intensively to identify, engage, and deploy a highly specialised team composed of Finnish rescue divers Sami Paakkarinen, Jenni Westerlund, and Patrik Grönqvist.

The coming hours will be dedicated entirely to equipment checks, gas logistics, environmental assessment, and dive planning for what remains an extremely complex and high-risk operation in a deep overhead environment. At this stage, DAN Europe respectfully asks the community, media partners, and the public to allow the operational team the time, focus, and concentration required to carry out this mission under the safest possible conditions. No further operational details will be shared until the team has completed its initial intervention.

“Over the past two days, one of our highest priorities at DAN Europe has been to support these operations with the best people, the right equipment, and the strongest possible coordination. Our team is now on site and preparing for tomorrow’s dive. From this moment, their focus must be entirely on the mission ahead” — Laura Marroni, CEO, DAN Europe.

This intervention is being conducted by the DAN Europe Foundation as part of its mission in diver safety, emergency response, research, and international operational support. The task force keeps operating in close coordination with the Maldives National Defence Force and in constant contact with the Italian authorities in Malé.

Our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives.

DAN Europe supports international search & rescue operations in the Maldives

An international task force of specialists has been activated to support local authorities in the recovery of divers in Dhekunu Kandu.

Malé, May 16, 2026 — Following the tragic incident involving five divers in the waters of Dhekunu Kandu, Vaavu Atoll (Maldives), DAN Europe has activated an international task force composed of highly specialised professionals in technical diving, cave diving, and special operations in overhead environments, with the objective of supporting the delicate search and rescue activities currently underway.

DAN has always stood alongside the international diving community, including the Maldives, providing medical assistance, emergency coordination, and operational support in the event of diving accidents. It is within this context that the organisation has decided to make resources, expertise, and specialised personnel available to support the ongoing operations.

The team mobilised by DAN includes operators with international experience in highly complex recovery missions, including interventions in deep cave systems, confined environments, and high-risk scenarios, gained through participation in some of the most challenging underwater rescue operations of recent years.

The DAN task force will operate in full coordination with the Maldives National Defence Force, which is leading operations locally, and in constant contact with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the competent Italian Embassy, and the Italian Consulate in Malé, since all victims were Italian nationals.

The accident site presents highly complex operational characteristics: access to the cave is located at a depth of between 55 and 60 meters, while the underwater system extends for hundreds of meters through multiple chambers and internal passages. The victims may be located in areas that are difficult to access, requiring extremely careful planning of every phase of the intervention. Maldivian authorities have described the operation as “high risk.”

“In moments like these, every consideration gives way first to our sense of humanity and community. Before being doctors, researchers, or emergency specialists, we are divers helping other divers. This tragedy deeply affects the entire international diving community of which we are part, and we will do everything within our power to support the ongoing operations. I am deeply grateful to the international search and recovery specialists we have engaged, who were ready to depart immediately upon our request. In the meantime, we are working to make the specialised equipment required for this highly complex operation available on site. We also wish to thank the representatives of the Italian Consulate and Embassy for their valuable assistance in coordinating the logistics of this intervention.”

— Laura Marroni, CEO, DAN Europe

Operations have become even more dramatic following the death of a member of the Maldivian Navy involved in the rescue efforts. DAN extends its deepest condolences to his family, colleagues, and local authorities. This tragic development further confirms the extreme complexity of the intervention and the importance of highly specialised support.

“We are in touch with the Maldivian medical team to support management of any emergencies related to the ongoing recovery operations. In complex diving scenarios, particularly in remote islands, clinical management can become delicate, especially when advanced critical care support and urgent hyperbaric treatment are required. This is why highly specialised planning is essential, both from an operational and medical perspective.”

— Dr. Chiara Ferri, Medical Director, DAN Europe

About DAN Europe

DAN Europe (Divers Alert Network Europe) is an international non-profit medical and research organisation devoted to the health and safety of divers. Since 1983, it has provided medical assistance, scientific research, education and innovative safety initiatives to the global diving community. DAN Europe is also an advocate for environmental responsibility and the responsible practice of diving. DAN Europe

Emergency Response, and Prevention

• Mission: improving diver safety worldwide through research, medicine, and assistance

• Structure: a 24/7 global emergency operations center managed by emergency medicine specialists and recognized in Italy as a second-level emergency alert center; assistance is provided in over 30 languages

• Membership: over 400,000 members worldwide

• Network: an international network of more than 180 medical specialists

• Activity: thousands of emergencies handled each year

The organization is one of the regional foundations within IDAN (International Divers Alert Network) and reinvests all generated resources into research and the development of tools and services benefiting the wider community.