Minister Tajani Expressed His Condolences to the Maldives’ Foreign Minister for the Death of Sergeant Major Mohammed Mahdi

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has just offered his condolences to Maldives' Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam for the death of Sergeant Major Mohammed Mahdi, who disappeared after diving to retrieve the four Italian divers involved in last Thursday's scuba accident.

Minister Tajani thanked the Maldivian authorities, particularly the Coast Guard, National Defense Forces, police, and the local Red Crescent, for the generous support and assistance they provided during the recovery operations, and are providing to the other tourists on the vessel used as a diving base. Minister Tajani said: "These days of grief for Italy are exacerbated by the news that one of your brave military, Sergeant Major Mohammed Mahdi, has died while attempting to recover the bodies of our fellow Italians."

"Our government, I personally, and Italy as a whole offer our deepest condolences to the soldier's family, to the Armed Forces, and to the Maldives' Government. This tragedy unites Italy and the Maldives in grief and respect for the victims."