The bodies of four Italian divers who went missing after diving into an underwater cave near Alimatha in Vaavu Atoll have been found.

The search operation has been carried out by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and the Maldives Police Service.

According to the MNDF, the bodies were located during an operation conducted today. Authorities said the four tourists were found inside the cave where they had gone diving.

MNDF stated that efforts are now underway to retrieve the bodies in upcoming dives.

A team of three experienced Finnish divers sent by the Italian government arrived in the Maldives yesterday to assist with the operation.