Roberto Sollini, a 64-year-old diver from the Marche region on holiday in Salento, was found dead at dawn on Tuesday, July 14, in the waters of Nardò, along the stretch of coast between Santa Maria al Bagno and Santa Caterina.
The body was located by the Fire Brigade diving team a few dozen meters from the signal buoy used during the dive.
The alarm after the failure to return
The search began late on Monday evening, July 13, after Sollini failed to return from his dive and failed to show up for a dinner date with friends.
The alarm was raised around 10:40 PM. Operations officially began shortly before midnight in the Aspide area, a popular spot on the Ionian coast for scuba diving.
The searches during the night
The operations involved ground teams of the Fire Brigade, the diving unit and personnel from the Port Authority, with the support of Coast Guard patrol boats.
The search continued for several hours, focusing on the body of water where the diver had positioned his buoy.
Shortly after 5:00 a.m., divers located the 64-year-old's body near the spot reported on the surface. The recovery took place at first light.
The cause of death is still to be ascertained
According to initial investigations reported by some local newspapers, Sollini may have been struck by a sudden illness while in the water.
However, the exact circumstances and cause of death have not yet been determined. After recovery, the body was handed over by the Port Authority to the judicial authorities and transferred to the mortuary for forensic examinations.
