The bodies of four Italian divers who disappeared during a scuba diving accident in the Maldives have been recovered, local authorities confirmed.

One member of the group had already been found shortly after the incident, which took place last Thursday.

Officials said the four remaining victims were discovered inside a cave around 60 metres (197 feet) underwater in Vaavu Atoll during a joint recovery operation involving specially trained Finnish and Maldivian divers.

The tragedy also claimed the life of a Maldivian rescue diver who died on Saturday while taking part in the search effort.

Authorities believe the accident is the deadliest single diving incident recorded in the Maldives, a country internationally known for its tourism industry and coral island resorts.

Four of the Italian victims were linked to the University of Genoa research team. They were identified as Prof Monica Montefalcone, her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, and researchers Muriel Oddenino and Federico Gualtieri.

The fifth Italian victim was diving instructor and boat operations manager Gianluca Benedetti.

The Maldivian rescue diver who died during the operation was identified as Staff Sgt Mohamed Mahdhee.

Officials believe all four bodies recovered this week were located in the same underwater cave where military personnel had earlier discovered the first victim on the day of the accident.

At least six Americans were exposed to the Ebola virus during the ongoing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The outbreak has already prompted the World Health Organization to declare an international health emergency, with authorities in DR Congo reporting about 350 suspected cases and 91 deaths.

One American is believed to be showing symptoms linked to the virus, while three others reportedly experienced high-risk exposure. It remains unclear whether any of the individuals have tested positive for Ebola.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed it was assisting with the “safe withdrawal of a small number of Americans who are directly affected,” though officials declined to specify the number involved.

Health officials say the outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments.

There have also been two confirmed Ebola cases and one death reported in Uganda, according to the CDC.

Reports indicate the US government is working to move the affected Americans from DR Congo to a secure quarantine location. Health news outlet STAT reported that the group could potentially be transported to a US military base in Germany, although this has not been officially confirmed.

During a press briefing, CDC officials declined to answer direct questions regarding the Americans reportedly exposed, but maintained that the overall risk to the United States remains low.

The US has meanwhile issued a Level Four travel advisory — its highest warning level — advising citizens not to travel to the DR Congo.

The WHO warned that the outbreak in Ituri province could become significantly larger than currently detected, with concerns over local and regional spread. However, the agency stated the situation does not yet meet the criteria for a pandemic.

Ebola remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases. During the 2014–2016 outbreak in West Africa, more than 28,600 people were infected and 11,325 died across countries including Guinea, Sierra Leone, the United States, the United Kingdom and Italy.

Jean Kaseya, director general of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, urged communities to follow strict public health measures, especially guidelines surrounding the handling and burial of Ebola victims, as efforts continue to contain the outbreak.

A rescue diver has died while taking part in a recovery operation for five Italian scuba divers who disappeared during a deep-water cave expedition in the Maldives.

Staff Sergeant Mohamed Mahdhee was rushed to hospital in critical condition after the operation but later died from his injuries, authorities confirmed.

The rescue mission was launched after five Italian nationals went missing while exploring underwater caves near Vaavu Atoll, around 100km south of the capital, Male.

Officials believe the divers descended to depths of about 50m during the excursion. So far, only one body is believed to have been recovered from a cave roughly 60m underwater.

Authorities say the incident may be the deadliest single diving accident ever recorded in the Maldives, a country internationally known for its coral reefs and luxury tourism industry.

According to reports, four of the victims were members of a research group from the University of Genoa, including ecology professor Monica Montefalcone, her daughter and two researchers.

The fifth victim was identified as a diving instructor and boat operations manager.

Local media reported that the group entered the water from the yacht Duke of York on Thursday morning before failing to resurface.

Police said weather conditions in the area had been rough at the time of the dive, with authorities issuing a yellow warning for passenger boats and fishermen.

Officials also noted that recreational scuba divers in the Maldives are generally restricted to a maximum depth of 30m, raising questions about why the group attempted to enter caves located around 60m below the surface.

Italy’s foreign ministry confirmed that approximately 20 other Italian nationals aboard the yacht were unharmed and are receiving support from the Italian embassy in Colombo.

Search and recovery efforts remain ongoing.