A man who lost both his wife and daughter in a tragic scuba diving accident in the Maldives has publicly spoken for the first time, questioning how such an experienced group of divers could have lost their lives.
The incident, which occurred near Vaavu Atoll, shocked the international diving community after multiple divers reportedly disappeared during a deep cave dive in difficult conditions.
Victims Included Marine Biology Professor and Her Daughter
Among those who died were Monica Montefalcone, a respected professor from the University of Genoa, and her 20-year-old daughter, Giorgia Sommacal.
The other victims were identified as:
- Muriel Oddenino
- Gianluca Benedetti
- Federico Gualtieri
Authorities said the group was diving in underwater caves approximately 50 meters (164 feet) below the surface when the tragedy occurred.
Husband Says “Something Must Have Happened”
Speaking to multiple news outlets, Monica Montefalcone’s husband and Giorgia’s father, Carlo Sommacal, expressed disbelief over the circumstances surrounding the accident.
According to reports, he stated that his wife was an extremely experienced diver and would never knowingly place their daughter or others in danger.
“My only certainty is that my wife is one of the best scuba divers on the face of the earth,” he reportedly told interviewers.
He also questioned how an entire group of experienced divers could die during the expedition, saying: “Something must have happened.”
Experts Discuss Possible Causes
Officials have not yet confirmed an exact cause of the disaster, but diving experts and medical professionals have discussed several possible explanations.
According to Italian media reports, pulmonologist Claudio Micheletto suggested that problems involving diving tanks or oxygen toxicity may have played a role.
What Is Oxygen Toxicity?
In deep dives, excessive oxygen exposure under high pressure can become dangerous. This condition, sometimes called hyperoxia, may cause:
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Panic underwater
Experts say such complications can become especially deadly inside underwater cave systems where visibility and escape routes are limited.
Difficult Weather Conditions Reported
Authorities also stated that weather conditions near the dive area had become unstable.
Rough seas reportedly complicated both the initial response and later recovery operations. At one point, rescue efforts were temporarily suspended because conditions were considered too dangerous.
Tragically, a Maldivian military rescue diver also reportedly died from decompression sickness while participating in recovery operations.
A Rare and Devastating Diving Disaster
Reports suggest the incident may be one of the deadliest diving accidents ever recorded in the Maldives.
Cave diving is widely considered one of the most technically demanding forms of scuba diving because it combines depth, confined spaces, darkness, and limited emergency escape options.
Even experienced divers face significant risks when conditions change unexpectedly underwater.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities continue investigating the exact sequence of events that led to the deaths.
Experts say determining the cause may involve examining:
- Diving equipment
- Air tanks and gas mixtures
- Weather conditions
- Dive planning procedures
- Underwater cave conditions
The tragedy has also renewed public discussion about the dangers of deep cave diving, even among highly trained professionals.
Final Thoughts
For the families involved, the accident represents an unimaginable loss.
What was meant to be a scientific and recreational diving expedition ended in one of the most devastating underwater tragedies the region has seen, leaving loved ones searching for answers about what went wrong beneath the surface.
As investigations continue, the incident serves as another reminder of how quickly extreme underwater environments can become dangerous — even for experienced divers.
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