Italian marine biologist Monica Montefalcone, an associate professor of ecology at the University of Genoa, is among five people reported to have died in a scuba diving accident in the Maldives earlier this week. Multiple outlets say the incident involves divers in or around an underwater cave and that Montefalcone was part of a work trip in the region.
Reports describe Montefalcone’s role as a researcher focused on marine and ecological study, including monitoring tropical biodiversity and related effects linked to climate change. Both accounts identify her as an Italian marine scientist traveling for scientific work when the tragedy occurred. One outlet also references her final words before she died, as part of the incident’s reporting.
Details about the exact circumstances of the cave diving, the timeline of the dive, and the cause of death are not fully specified across the provided sources. The deaths are presented as part of a single, multi-fatality diving incident in the Maldives.
