Italian embassy seeks donations for relatives of MNDF diver who died in Vaavu search
Italy's embassy in Colombo is collecting donations for the family of Sergeant First Class Mohamed Mahudhee of the MNDF, whom Italy has posthumously awarded its Gold Medal for Civil Valour.
Italy has given its highest honour for civil courage to a Maldivian serviceman who died during the recovery of its nationals, and is now inviting the public to support his family. Through a notice issued on 19 October 2026, the Honorary Consular Agency in Malé, together with the Embassy of Italy in Colombo, set up a fund for the relatives of Sergeant First Class Mohamed Mahudhee of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
The award, conferred after his death, is the Gold Medal for Civil Valour, which the embassy describes as the Italian Republic's highest honour for exceptional civil courage. The embassy also extended condolences to his family and expressed its solidarity with them.
Death in Felidhe Atoll
In May 2026 five Italian nationals disappeared while diving in Vaavu Atoll; the embassy said he died during the recovery operation that followed. On 16 May 2026 the MNDF had announced the death of Staff Sergeant Mohamed Mahudhee, who ran into difficulty underwater while taking part in its search and rescue operation for the missing divers in Felidhe Atoll.
Purpose of the fund
The embassy frames the appeal as a gesture of support for the serviceman's relatives. Giving is voluntary, and donors may contribute whatever sum they can manage. Money raised will pass to his legal heirs in accordance with the arrangements established for the initiative. The embassy has undertaken to be transparent both in handling the donations and in distributing them to the beneficiaries.
Making a donation
Payments can be made only by bank transfer. The embassy has published the following details:
- Account holder — Sergeant Mahdhee Memorial Fund
- Bank and branch — Maldives Islamic Bank, Head Office, Medhuziyaaraiy Magu, Malé 20097
- Number — 901 01 53500004 1001
- SWIFT code — MADVMVMVXXX
- Currency — MVR
- Reference — 'Donation in Memory of Mohamed Mahudhee', followed by 'by' and the donor's first name and surname
The appeal closes on 31 December 2026. The embassy's address is 55 Jawatta Road, Colombo 5; its telephone number is +94 11 2588388 and its email address ambasciata.colombo@esteri.it. Before transferring any money, donors should verify these details against the notice issued by the embassy itself.
