A soldier from the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has passed away while undergoing treatment for complications sustained during a search and rescue operation in Vaavu Atoll.

The MNDF confirmed that the officer’s health deteriorated while diving today as part of an ongoing mission to locate four Italian divers who went missing in the Felidhoo Atoll region. Sources indicate the officer suffered from decompression sickness while conducting search dives.

Following the medical emergency, the soldier was rushed to ADK Hospital in Malé for urgent treatment. Despite medical efforts, the soldier succumbed to his condition while under care at the hospital.