Genova bids farewell to scientist Monica Montefalcone and daughter Giorgia, lost in Maldives cave tragedy
Thousands gathered at San Francesco di Pegli church in Genova on Saturday for the funeral of marine scientist Monica Montefalcone and her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, who died alongside three others during a cave dive in the Maldives on 14 May.
A community in mourning
More than a thousand people, with some sources estimating up to two thousand, filled and surrounded the church of San Francesco d'Assisi in Pegli, Genova, to pay their final respects. The funeral, celebrated by the Archbishop of Genova Marco Tasca and parish priest Don Pierino Cattaneo, was held in a private form, with a ban on television recordings out of respect for the grieving family. The two coffins, one dark wood for the professor and one white for her daughter, arrived shortly before 11 a.m., adorned with white flowers and a photograph of the two together with the sea in the background.
Pensiamo al sorriso di Monica e Giorgia. La morte non può cancellarlo. I ricordi belli vissuti insieme non muoiono: continuano a vivere nel cuore di chi resta.
Voices of remembrance
During the service, colleagues, friends, and family took to the pulpit to share memories. Giorgia's boyfriend, Federico Colombo, delivered a deeply emotional tribute that drew a long applause from the congregation. He spoke of Giorgia as his home and a rare feeling of safety, promising her father Carlo that he would be there for him. Friends of Giorgia remembered her by the sea, describing her as luminous, strong, and stubborn like the water she loved.
Non dovevamo salutarci così. Ricordo l'ultima volta che ci siamo salutati. Una frase semplice, che la trasforma in ultimo saluto. E io sono qui ancora ad aspettarti. Ti sento nelle piccole cose che nessuno nota. Tu eri casa, una sensazione rara. Non avevo più paura del futuro con te.
A scientific legacy
Monica Montefalcone was a professor at the University of Genova's DISTAV department. The rector of the university, Federico Delfino, attended the service, as did her former mentor Carlo Nike Bianchi. Colleagues from the ecology laboratory remembered her as a fundamental guide whose bond with her team went far beyond the professional. The dean of DISTAV, Giorgio Bavestrello, prayed that other researchers would follow her example of commitment and passion.
Abbiamo perso una delle persone fondamentali. Monica era la nostra guida, è stato un legame che è andato ben oltre quello professionale. Grazie a lei abbiamo vissuto esperienze e momenti che resteranno per sempre.
The tragedy and the investigation
The five divers—Monica Montefalcone, her daughter Giorgia Sommacal, Muriel Oddenino, Gianluca Benedetti, and Federico Gualtieri—lost their lives during a cave dive at Alimathà in the Maldives on 14 May. While the funeral provided a moment of collective grief, investigations into the exact cause of the fatal incident are still ongoing. Earlier controversies regarding the nature of the scientific mission were set aside for the day of mourning.
A final farewell
As the service concluded, a long applause accompanied the two coffins out of the church. On the church square, a group of young people sang a farewell song, gathering around Monica's son, Matteo Sommacal. Archbishop Tasca remarked on the beauty of seeing friends support the family in such a difficult moment, noting how they stood united with Matteo. The procession left the church preceded by the archbishop, with the coffins covered in white flowers, as the community said its last goodbye.
