Who were Monica Montefalcone and the other divers who died in the Maldives

Five Italians died during a dive in the Vaavu atoll at Maldives. This is who I am le vittime.

The best known isMonica Montefalconeteacher ofUniversity of Genoa and associate professor in the Department of Earth, Environmental and Life Sciences. He taught biology ed marine ecology and was scientific manager of the Maldives monitoring campaign. The 51-year-old biologist was well known for her TV appearances.

His daughter Giorgia and two researchers also died

Her daughter also died with her Giorgia Sommacal23 years old, student of Biomedical Engineering all’University of Genoaand a 31-year-old researcher, Federico Gualtieri from Omegna, passionate about underwatergraduated in marine biology all’University of Genoa and student of the teacher. He had also won a competition for a project in Japanwas supposed to leave in August. Another victim is Muriel Oddenino31 years old, originally from Poirino, in the Turin area, marine biologist, ecologist and research fellow at the Department of Earth Sciences ofUniversity of Genoa — the same structure where Montefalcone, her scientific coordinator, worked.

Fifth victim was the most experienced

The fifth dead diver is Giorgio Benedettioriginally from Padua, was the most expert of the group in terms of diving. After a long experience in the world of banking and finance, he had decided to change his life and transform his life underwater in a full-time business. In 2017 he moved to Maldivesbecoming a diving instructor and operations manager – the boat leader – on board the Count Max and Duke of York boats, the latter is the one from which the five dived.

Who was Monica Montefalcone

Monica Montefalcone was born in Milan in 1974, but she was always resident in the Genoese neighborhood of Pegli. She was an associate professor at the University of Genoa, an expert in marine ecology and ecosystem protection, but over the years, while always maintaining a strongly scientific profile, she had also become a face known to the general public. He often participated in information meetingsconferences and television programs dedicated toenvironment and to the protection of mare. His approach was very direct: to explain complex topics such as the marine biodiversityl’coastal erosion or the effects of climate changes.

Scientific career and publications

By 2005 he had signed over 130 scientific publications international publications, monographs, specialist contributions and peer-reviewed works. He was Associate Editor of the international magazine Frontiers in Marine Science and collaborated as a scientific reviewer for some of the most important global journals in the environmental sector. He was responsible for important marine projects such as Tuesday, GhostNet e MORE ‘A16-A18’. Since 2013 he was also scientific director of important research activities dedicated to coral reefs from the Maldivesthe archipelago she knew better than anyone else in Italy, and where she died today.

Bernini: tragedy shakes the academic community

“The tragedy that struck the University of Genoa profoundly shakes the entire academic community Italian. There are pains for which words are not enough.” Minister of University and Research Anna Maria Bernini wrote this in X. “In this such a dramatic moment I address my most sincere thoughts and my closeness to the families, the Rector, colleagues, students and the entire Genoese university community, affected by a dismaying loss”, he adds.