FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Five Italian divers have died during an expedition in the waters of the Maldives, in an area known for technical diving and underwater caves with strong currents. The incident occurred in the Vaavu atoll, where the group had embarked on a dive to a depth of more than 50 meters.
Among the victims are marine biologist Monica Monfalcone, her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, researcher Muriel Oddenino and diving instructors Gianluca Benedetti and Federico Gualtieri. All had advanced diving experience.
The investigation has focused on several possible causes of the fatal accident. One of them is related to the effects of "nitrogen narcosis", a phenomenon that occurs during deep dives and can affect orientation, reaction and decision-making.
At depths of over 50 meters, nitrogen in the breathing mixture can cause confusion, slowed reflexes, or loss of control. In confined spaces like underwater caves, even a moment of disorientation can become critical.
Technical diving experts emphasize that cave explorations are considered among the most dangerous, since in case of emergency, surfacing is not immediate. Guide lines are used for orientation, but visibility can disappear completely when the seabed is disturbed by currents or the movements of the divers.
According to preliminary data, the group may have lost orientation inside the cave and consumed gas reserves while trying to find the exit.
Another element being verified is the quality of the breathing mixtures used during the dive. In such expeditions, compressed air cylinders or special mixtures such as Nitrox are used. Investigators are examining whether there may have been contamination of the gas with toxic substances, although specialists consider it unlikely that such a problem would have affected the entire group at the same time.
A yellow weather warning had been issued for the area on the day of the accident. Vaavu Atoll is known for strong currents and rapid changes in underwater conditions, especially near cave entrances.
Authorities are analyzing whether environmental factors, technical problems and extreme diving conditions may have created a situation that the group failed to manage.
The expedition also had scientific objectives related to the study of marine ecosystems in the area. Investigations are expected to determine whether the tragedy was caused by an operational error, a technical problem or a combination of several factors at the same time.
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