The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Staff Sergeant First Class Mohamed Mahudhee, who passed away after becoming critically ill while diving during a rescue operation for the missing Italian divers, has been laid to rest will full military honours.
The MNDF Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) had received reports at approximately 13:45 on Thursday that five Italian divers had gone missing while diving in Vaavu Atoll. Subsequently, the MNDF launched a rescue operation to locate the divers. Of the five missing divers, the body of one individual was recovered underwater at approximately 18:13 on Thursday by divers from the safari vessel assisting in the operation.
Staff Sergeant Mohamed Mahudhee was one of the divers who took part in the high-risk search operation to find four missing divers in Vaavu Atoll. He had passed away due to decompression sickness while being treated at ADK Hospital.
The funeral service was held at the Islamic Centre, with hundreds of participants paying their respects to the late Staff Sergeant Mohamed Mahudhee. This includes President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, Cabinet Ministers, and other senior government officials.
The coffin of the deceased was transported to the new cemetery in a specialised vehicle, with a ceremonial seven-gun salute carried out to pay respects.
President Dr Mohamed Muizzu handed over the national flag placed over the coffin to the family of the deceased.