Thursday 29 Oct 2026
Sergeant First Class Mohamed Mahudhy, who died in an MNDF search operation to locate four missing Italian tourists who went diving in Alimatha underwater cave, Vaavu atoll.
The Gold Medal for Civil Valour, one of Italy’s most prestigious national honors, will be awarded in memory of MNDF Sergeant First Class Mohamed Mahudhy, who died while searching for missing Italian tourists who disappeared while swimming in the underwater cave near Vaavu Atoll Alimatha.
In a statement, the Italian Embassy in Colombo said Mahudhy will be posthumously awarded the Gold Medal for Civil Valour, the highest distinction conferred by the Italian Republic in recognition of extraordinary acts of courage.
The Embassy, together with the Italian Honorary Consular Agency in Male' city, has also launched a special fund to provide financial assistance to Mahudhy’s family. The fund, open until December 31, accepts deposits through a dedicated bank account, and all contributions will be handed over to Mahudhy’s legal heirs. The Embassy extended its condolences to the family and thanked all those supporting the initiative.
Mahudhy died on May 16 while searching for five Italian tourists who went missing after diving into an underwater cave in Vaavu Atoll. An experienced diver, he died due to health complications related to decompression sickness. The bodies of the five tourists, who were among six people killed in the incident, were later recovered from the cave.
