Maldives seeks international assistance in search for three men lost at sea

The Maldives is seeking international assistance in the search for three men, including rescue officers, who went missing last week, after a supply vessel capsized in the Huvadhoo Sea.

The eight-crew ‘Friend 4’ had set off from K. Thilafushi on August 2, carrying construction material such as rock aggregate to islands. The boat sent out a distress call to the police at around 10:40 pm on August 6, after it began taking in water as it travelled through the Huvadhoo Sea after setting off from Th. Madifushi.

Seven of the eight crew members on the vessel were successfully rescued, while three people, including a police officer and solider involved in the rescue operation, went missing.

Efforts remain in progress to find 35-year-old Mohamed Hamdhoon from Th. Madifushi, 33-year-old Police Sergeant Ali Nafiu, and 39-year-old MNDF Staff Sergeant Ibrahim Ahmed.

In a statement on Sunday, the Foreign Ministry said that the government’s immediate priority remains locating the three persons who are still missing.

The ministry added that they are also engaged in efforts to secure international assistance in the operation.

“We are also engaging with our bilateral partners to secure additional assistance and technical support for the ongoing search operation, including efforts related to the sunken vessel,” stated the ministry.

“Our thoughts are with the missing persons, their families and loved ones during this difficult time. We will continue to coordinate closely with all relevant authorities and partners and mobilize every available effort in support of the ongoing search.”

The statement comes amid public concern over why the authorities haven’t sought international assistance in the search efforts.

The MNDF Coast Guard continues to search via air and sea for the missing men, having also mobilized a UAV and a plane in the efforts.

The MNDF stated on Saturday that they have searched 6,112 square nautical miles via air and 1,370.10 square nautical miles via sea in the operation.

“The search efforts have yet to yield any trace of the missing persons,” said the MNDF.

The latest marine incident came mere days after two Indian sailors went missing after a landing craft capsized off K. Gaafaru on July 31.

Both incidents took place amid rough seas and strong winds unleashed by monsoon rains.