A retired British couple have been killed in a scuba diving accident while on holiday in the Maldives.
Elaine Richmond, 70, and her husband Malcolm, 71, were spending Christmas at a resort on the remote island of Ellaidhoo in the Indian Ocean, where they had spent the festive period for the past 17 years.
They are believed to have had an “accident” while scuba diving in the sea, according to their funeral directors, based in the village of Inkersall in Derbyshire, where the couple lived.
Simon Hope, of Stubbins and Hope funeral directors, told the Daily Mail that there were no criminal or suspicious circumstances surrounding the deaths.
An inquest into the couple’s deaths is due to be opened at Chesterfield coroner’s court on January 30.
Hope said the couple did not have any children but that their next of kin, a niece living near Manchester, had been informed. Their funerals will be held on January 29 at noon at Brimington crematorium in Chesterfield.
A post on the funeral directors’ website states: “Elaine and Malcolm Richmond of Inkersall have tragically passed away just days apart at Christmas. All who knew them are welcome to attend [the funeral] and celebrate their lives. Any donations received will be given to Ashgate Hospice.”
The Richmonds had visited the resort where they dived 60 times and celebrated Christmas there for the past 17 years. Photographs posted by the couple on social media demonstrate that they were experienced scuba divers.
A tribute posted on a Facebook group read: “With deepest regret and sadness, we would like to inform you that two of our dearest members of the Ellaidhoo group Elaine and Malcom Richmond sadly passed away whilst on the Maldives over the Christmas holiday period.
“They were members of Maldives Holidaymakers and they were known to a lot of members but they regularly visited Ellaidhoo. Elaine and Malcolm visited Ellaidhoo over 60 times, three times in 2025, and in addition had been going to the island for the last 17 years at Christmas.
“They will be sadly missed by family and the many friends that they made over their many visits. They were very popular with all the staff they had made friends with and will be sorely missed. RIP Elaine and Malcolm.”
Ellaidhoo is only accessible by seaplane or boat
ALAMY
Ellaidhoo, which is located 26 miles west of the capital Malé, is only accessible by seaplane or boat. Tour groups encourage visitors to “dive into the world of wonder” with one stating: “You won’t regret visiting the underwater guests at Ellaidhoo Maldives.
“The swimming or diving in warm cerulean waters as clear as glass, it’s easy to fall under the spell the vivid corals of the reef, which will leave one pleasingly intoxicated.”