The only survivor connected to the deadly Maldives scuba diving tragedy reportedly avoided the disaster after deciding at the last minute to stay aboard the Duke of York yacht instead of joining the dive.
Five Italian divers, including marine biology professor Monica Montefalcone and her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, died after entering an underwater cave near Alimatha island in Vaavu Atoll. The group is believed to have descended nearly 160 feet before the tragedy occurred.
The unnamed University of Genoa student is now considered a key witness in the investigation. During later recovery efforts, a Maldivian military diver also died from decompression sickness.
Experts believe possible causes include oxygen tank failure, oxygen toxicity, or panic inside the dangerous cave system. Authorities continue investigating what happened in what is considered the deadliest diving disaster in Maldives history.