A Maldivian military diver died Saturday during search operations to recover the bodies of four Italian divers missing in an underwater cave system in the Maldives, according to reports from local authorities.

The military diver reportedly died from decompression sickness while participating in the dangerous mission to locate and recover the Italian divers who became trapped in a deep underwater cave. The incident forced authorities to suspend the search operation.

Finnish divers had joined the international search efforts to locate the missing Italian divers, though specific details about when the Italians went missing or the circumstances of their disappearance were not immediately available.

Decompression sickness, also known as 'the bends,' occurs when divers ascend too quickly from deep water, causing nitrogen bubbles to form in the bloodstream and tissues. The condition can be fatal without proper treatment.

The suspended search operation highlights the extreme dangers faced by rescue divers working in deep underwater cave systems, where limited visibility, strong currents, and complex navigation present significant risks even to experienced professionals.