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
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.
About DAN Europe
DAN Europe (Divers Alert Network Europe) is an international nonprofit medical and scientific organization founded in 1983, dedicated to research, prevention, and safety management in complex and high-risk environments.
Core elements of the organization include:
- 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.
