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Italy has posthumously awarded its Gold Medal for Civil Valour to MNDF Sergeant First Class Mohamed Mahudhee, who died while assisting in the search for five missing Italian tourists in Vaavu Atoll.
Mariyam Adheela
MALE’: The Italian Government has awarded its Gold Medal for Civil Valour posthumously to Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Sergeant First Class Mohamed Mahudhee, in recognition of his service during the search and rescue operation for five Italian tourists who went missing in Vaavu Atoll.
The honour was presented to Mahudhee’s family at a special ceremony held at Barceló Nasandhura Hotel, marking 60 years of diplomatic relations between the Maldives and Italy and Italy’s 80th Republic Day.
The medal was presented by Italian Ambassador to the Maldives Damiano Francovigh and Economic Development and Trade Minister Mohamed Saeed.
Mahudhee died on May 16 while taking part in the search operation for five Italian tourists who went missing after entering an underwater cave in the Vaavu Atoll waters on May 14.
The incident claimed six lives in total, including the five Italian tourists and Mahudhee. The bodies of the tourists were later recovered from inside the underwater cave.
An experienced diver, Mahudhee reportedly developed medical complications associated with decompression sickness during the operation, which led to his death.
The Gold Medal for Civil Valour is a prestigious Italian honour recognising acts of exceptional courage and service to others.
The award recognises Mahudhee’s contribution to the search operation and his efforts to assist those in danger, even at the cost of his own life.
His posthumous recognition also highlights the close ties between the Maldives and Italy, as the two countries mark six decades of diplomatic relations.
