Chief Government Spokesperson Mohamed Hussain Shareef (Mundhu) has stated that discussions are underway regarding granting permission for technical diving in the Maldives.

A group of Italian divers who dove into an underwater cave near V. Alimatha recently passed away. Additionally, an MNDF rescue diver who attempted to save them also passed away.

Speaking at a press conference held at the President's Office today, Mundhu said that there is currently no law concerning technical diving in the Maldives, and therefore, the government is considering formulating such a law.

Mundhu stated that discussions on the matter are currently ongoing, and the introduction of such a law will facilitate foreign individuals visiting to conduct marine research, as well as other technical divers.

"Since tech-rec diving is an activity that cannot be done unless by individuals with specialized diving experience along with specialist gear, robust regulations can be established through this to regulate and carry it forward," Mundhu said.

The Italian divers went missing on the 14th of this month. While the body of one of them was recovered on the same day, the bodies of the remaining four individuals were retrieved in a rescue operation conducted by the Divers Alert Network (DAN) in collaboration with the Maldivian military and police.