Team Deployed In The Maldives As DAN Europe Supports Ongoing Search & Recovery Operations
Specialist divers on site. Equipment preparation underway ahead of tomorrow’s operational dive.
Malé, May 17, 2026 — DAN Europe confirms that the international search & recovery team mobilised over the past 48 hours has safely arrived in the Maldives and is currently completing equipment preparation, operational briefings, and final mission planning ahead of the first planned dive tomorrow morning.
The coming hours will be dedicated entirely to equipment checks, gas logistics, environmental assessment, and dive planning for what remains an extremely complex and high-risk operation in a deep overhead environment.
At this stage, DAN Europe respectfully asks the community, media partners, and the public to allow the operational team the time, focus, and concentration required to carry out this mission under the safest possible conditions. No further operational details will be shared until the team has completed its initial intervention.
“Over the past two days, one of our highest priorities at DAN Europe has been to support these operations with the best people, the right equipment, and the strongest possible coordination. Our team is now on site and preparing for tomorrow’s dive. From this moment, their focus must be entirely on the mission ahead” — Laura Marroni, CEO, DAN Europe.
This intervention is being conducted by the DAN Europe Foundation as part of its mission in diver safety, emergency response, research, and international operational support. The task force keeps operating in close coordination with the Maldives National Defence Force and in constant contact with the Italian authorities in Malé.
Our thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives.
The Search & Rescue Team
The three-member Finnish team was deployed by DAN Europe following an international coordination effort. It comprises specialists in deep and cave diving with recognised experience in complex underwater rescue and recovery operations.
The team made themselves available immediately, departing for the Maldives on short notice to join a high-risk operation. They are helping reassess the search strategy for the cave system, which lies at approximately 55–65 metres depth and comprises three large chambers connected by narrow passages. The operations are conducted in close collaboration with the Maldivian National Defence Force (MNDF) and Italian authorities.
Sami Paakkarinen
Sami Paakkarinen is a Finnish professional diver with extensive experience in technical, cave, and closed-circuit diving. Active in diving since 1995 and in cave diving since 2004, he is a well-known CCR instructor and underwater explorer who has participated in complex rescue and recovery operations, including the 2014 Plura Cave mission in Norway and a cave recovery mission in Mexico in 2014. Sami is a longtime DAN Member.
Jenni Westerlund
Jenni Westerlund is a Finnish technical diver with experience in demanding overhead environments, including flooded mines and cave systems. She has participated in advanced diving and recovery operations requiring precision, discipline, and strong team coordination, including the 2014 Plura Cave rescue operation in Norway and a cave recovery mission in Mexico in 2014. Jenni is a longtime DAN Member.
Patrik Grönqvist
Patrik Grönqvist is a Finnish technical diver and underwater photographer with extensive experience in overhead environments, including mines and caves. He has been diving closed-circuit rebreathers and has taken part in complex rescue and recovery operations, including the 2014 Plura Cave mission in Norway. He has also served with the regional rescue services department, bringing operational discipline and calm decision-making under pressure to challenging underwater missions. Patrik is an active DAN Member.
About DAN Europe
DAN Europe (Divers Alert Network Europe) is an international non-profit medical and research organisation devoted to the health and safety of divers. Since 1983, it has provided medical assistance, scientific research, education and innovative safety initiatives to the global diving community. DAN Europe is also an advocate for environmental responsibility and the responsible practice of diving. Dan Europe
DAN Europe Foundation | PR & Media
Cristian Pellegrini
cpellegrini@daneurope.org
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