Maldives rescuers search for drowned Italian divers

Rescue teams in the Indian Ocean archipelago of the Maldives are searching for a second day for the bodies of four missing Italians following the country's deadliest diving accident, officials said.

Italy's foreign ministry said last night that five citizens had died while diving, with Maldivian authorities recovering one body.

Maldives Minister of Tourism Mohamed Ameen said coast guard officers and security forces were scouring remote seas around where the divers were reported missing yesterday afternoon.

"I am deeply saddened by the tragic deep diving accident in Vaavu Atoll today," Mr Ameen said in a statement.

"The coastguard, and all relevant authorities, are actively engaged in the search and recovery operation."

The University of Genoa said the victims included a marine biology professor, her daughter and two young researchers.

They were diving in Vaavu Atoll, about a 90-minute speedboat ride from the capital, Male.

The Maldives, a nation of 1,192 tiny coral islands scattered some 800km across the equator in the Indian Ocean, is a luxury holiday destination popular with divers, who often stay at secluded resorts or on dive boats.

Maldivian authorities worked through the night despite bad weather, local officials said. The diver whose body was recovered has not been publicly identified.

"I pray for the recovery of the missing individuals," Mr Ameen added.

The Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF), which is coordinating the search and rescue operation, said the first body was found in a cave at a depth of 60 metres.

"It is believed that the remaining four divers are also inside the same cave," the MNDF said.

Local regulations allow dives to a maximum depth of 30 metres, but experienced professionals are known to go deeper.

Police said the weather was rough in Vaavu Atoll yesterday and that there was a warning for passenger boats and fishermen.

The Italians were on a live-aboard dive boat, and the alarm was raised when they failed to return as scheduled, police said.

Diving and water-sport-related accidents are relatively rare in the South Asian nation, although several fatal incidents have been reported in recent years.

Local media reports said at least 112 tourists had died in marine-related incidents in the archipelago over the past six years, including 42 in diving or snorkelling accidents.