A diving tragedy occurred near Alimatha Island, claiming the lives of five individuals. A sixth diver, an unnamed woman believed to be a University of Genoa student, chose to remain on the Duke of York yacht and is now considered the “only direct survivor” and a key witness.
Among those who died were marine biology professor Monica Montefalcone and her 20-year-old daughter, Giorgia Sommacal, as well as Muriel Oddenino, Gianluca Benedetti, and Federico Gualtieri. The group reportedly descended roughly 160 feet into an underwater cave.
Investigators are exploring several possible causes, including problems with diving tanks, oxygen toxicity (hyperoxia), and panic inside the cave. Pulmonologist Claudio Micheletto described hyperoxia as “one of the most dramatic deaths that can occur during a dive,” while Alfonso Bolognini noted that even a small error or panic at 50 meters could be fatal.
The student survivor has not publicly explained her decision to remain on the yacht, but her testimony may be crucial for understanding what happened. The diving community and families continue to mourn, seeking answers about this devastating accident.
