The five scuba divers who died while exploring underwater caves in the Maldives have been named. The group, from Italy, had set off on a diving expedition on Thursday morning.

It has been confirmed they died while exploring the underwater caves, at a depth of around 50 metres, in the Vaavu Atoll. One of the victims has been named by Italian media as Monica Montefalcone, 51, a marine biologist, TV personality and professor of Tropical Marine Ecology and Underwater Science at the University of Genoa. Her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, 20, also died. The other three victims have been named as Muriel Oddenino of Turin, Gianluca Benedetti of Padua and Federico Gualtieri of Borgomanero.

Italy's foreign ministry confirmed the deaths but gave no further details on the cause of the incident. They added that an investigation is under way while the victim's families have been contacted.

We'll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.

For the latest news and breaking news visit: /news

Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.