US naval aircraft flies over area where three men went missing

A United States naval aircraft has reportedly been observed flying low over the area where three men, including rescue officers, who went missing earlier in August, 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 5, 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.

Aviators Maldives reported on Sunday that a US Navy Boeing P‑8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft had been observed conducting low‑level operations at approximately 1,500 feet over the Maldives, flying directly over the same search zone where the men went missing.

A United Sates Navy Boeing P‑8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft has been observed conducting low‑level operations at approximately 1,500 ft over the Maldives, flying directly over the same search zone where three men were lost after the capsizing of the supply vessel Friend 4.… pic.twitter.com/sbYqgEd4eU

— AviatorsMaldives (@AviatorsMaldive) August 16, 2026

However, local authorities have yet to make any official comment regarding this.

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 Maldives is also engaged in efforts to secure international assistance for the operation.