Finnish Divers Recover 6 Bodies in Maldives Cave as Probe Targets 164-Foot Illegal Dive
Updated
Updated · Outside · May 22
Finnish Divers Recover 6 Bodies in Maldives Cave as Probe Targets 164-Foot Illegal Dive
9 articles · Updated · Outside · May 22
Six bodies from the Maldives diving disaster were recovered on May 20 after Finnish cave divers found them in the Dhekunu Kandu cave two days earlier.
The victims had entered a cave whose entrance lies at nearly 164 feet, well beyond the Maldives' 98-foot recreational diving limit, and reports say they used single nitrox tanks rather than technical cave-diving gear.
The search itself turned deadly when a senior Maldivian National Defence Force diver died of decompression sickness on May 16 after attempting a rescue.
Investigators have not determined the cause of death, with narcosis, equipment failure, oxygen toxicity and panic all under review in what officials describe as the country's worst diving accident.
Beyond the divers' fatal choices, what role did the unpermitted dive boat play in this tragedy?
Why did expert divers attempt a fatal cave dive using only basic recreational equipment?
After its worst diving disaster, can the Maldives reform its safety protocols to prevent another tragedy?