The Gold Medal for Civil Valour, a highly esteemed national award in Italy, will be presented in honor of MNDF Sergeant First Class Mohamed Mahudhy, who lost his life while searching for Italian tourists who went missing while swimming in the underwater cave near Vaavu Atoll Alimatha.

The Italian Embassy in Colombo announced that Mahudhy will be honored posthumously with the Gold Medal for Civil Valour, the highest award given by the Italian Republic in acknowledgment of exceptional acts of bravery.

The Embassy, in collaboration with the Italian Honorary Consular Agency in Male' city, has initiated a dedicated fund to offer financial support to Mahudhy’s family. The fund, which remains accessible until December 31, permits deposits via a specific bank account, and all donations will be given to Mahudhy’s rightful heirs. The Embassy expressed its sympathies to the family and appreciated everyone backing the initiative.

Mahudhy passed away on May 16 during the search for five Italian tourists who disappeared after entering an underwater cave in Vaavu Atoll. A seasoned diver, he passed away from health issues associated with decompression sickness. The remains of the five tourists, part of the six individuals who died in the event, were subsequently retrieved from the cave.

Authorities have advised the public to stay vigilant against online scams by steering clear of dubious links and refraining from sharing one-time password (OTP) codes. They also recommended that the public check sellers before engaging in online purchases and avoid sharing personal data or financial information with others.