STORY: Specialist divers concluded their search operations on Wednesday (May 20) after the last two bodies of the Italian divers killed in the Maldives' deadliest-ever diving accident were recovered.

In footage released by DAN Europe, the three-member Finnish team said they had completed their mission, while extending their condolences to the families of the missing divers.

"After three days, three operational days, i can say that we have achieved this mission and they are back on surface, and back at home," Finnish diver Sami Paakkarinen said.

Maldivian authorities are investigating multiple possible causes behind the deaths of the five divers who had entered a deepwater cave for exploration after being granted the necessary permit to research soft corals in the Devana Kandu site, including whether the group descended far deeper than expected.

The group was led by Monica Montefalcone, 51, a University of Genoa professor and marine ecologist who was a regular diver in Maldivian waters in the Indian Ocean, and also included her daughter.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

Specialist diving team conclude recovery operations in Maldivian sea

VIDEO SHOWS: DAN EUROPE SPECIALIST DIVERS SURFACING AND DE-KITTING AFTER DIVE / SOUNDBITE FROM DIVER

SHOWS: AT SEA, MALDIVES (RELEASED MAY 20, 2026) (DAN EUROPE - Must on-screen courtesy DAN Europe)

1. VARIOUS OF FINNISH DIVER JENNI WESTERLUND SURFACING AND DE-KITTING

2. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FINNISH DIVER SAMI PAAKKARINEN SAYING:

"Hi everyone, this is Sami, Jenni and Patrik. We are here in Maldives. As you may know, we have been running operations here for a few days. First of all, we would like to give our condolences to the families of the missing divers."

3. VARIOUS OF FINNISH DIVER PATRIK GRONQVIST SURFACING AND DE-KITTING

4. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FINNISH DIVER SAMI PAAKKARINEN SAYING:

"The reason why we are here was our willingness to help them, and help them by bringing them back home. And after three days, three operational days, i can say that we have achieved this mission and they are back on surface, and back at home."

5. VARIOUS OF FINNISH DIVER SAMI PAAKKARINEN SURFACING AND DE-KITTING

6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FINNISH DIVER SAMI PAAKKARINEN SAYING:

"We are very happy that we could help and we are very grateful for DAN Europe, the Italian Embassy, the Maldivian Defence Forces, police and all the volunteers who have been helping us with this mission."

7. FINNISH DIVER SAMI PAAKKARINEN SURFACING AND DE-KITTING

8. (SOUNDBITE) (English) FINNISH DIVER SAMI PAAKKARINEN SAYING:

"We thank (you) a lot with all the messages that we have got from you guys, because they have been really nice to receive and sorry we haven't been able to answer them all but thank you."

9. FINNISH DIVER SAMI PAAKKARINEN DE-KITTING