Italy's highest civilian bravery honor, the "Gold Medal for Civil Valor," has been awarded to the late MNDF diver Staff Sergeant Mohamed Mahudhee.

The honor was presented to Mahudhee's family at a special ceremony held at Hotel Barceló Nasandhura to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Italy and the country's 80th National Day.

The "Gold Medal for Civil Valor" was presented to Mahudhee's family by the Ambassador of Italy to the Maldives, Damiano Friedrich, and Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed.

This medal is being awarded in memory of Mahudhee to recognize his extraordinary civilian bravery. This is the highest honor bestowed by the country in appreciation of such courageous acts.

In addition to conferring this honor, a special fundraising campaign has been launched to assist Mahudhee's family. Initiated jointly by the Italian Embassy and its Honorary Consular Agency in Malé, assistance can be provided by depositing funds into a designated bank account.

Staff Sergeant Mahudhee, who worked as an MNDF diver, passed away on May 16 of this year while participating in an operation to recover the bodies of Italian divers who died while diving in an underwater cave in Vaavu Atoll.

Five Italian tourists died while diving in the underwater cave. Their bodies were later recovered by three Finnish divers: Sami Paakkinen, Jenni Vestelainen, and Patrick Gronqvist. Italian President Sergio Mattarella awarded those three divers the country's "Order of Merit," which is Italy's highest award bestowed upon ordinary citizens.