Death Toll Rises to Two in Landing Craft Capsize 

The death toll from the capsize of a landing craft that departed from Malé City today has risen to two, after the Coast Guard recovered the body of a second crew member from underwater.

The vessel, Almaak Fiya, a 100-foot landing craft, was en route from Malé City to the resort island of K. Eriyadhoo with a crew of seven when it overturned around 1.3 nautical miles off K. Thulhaagiri in the early hours of today. Four crew members were rescued by the Coast Guard, while two of the three sailors who initially went missing have now been confirmed dead.

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Earlier in the morning, divers from the Coast Guard recovered the body of Ahmed Shifan, 38, from Sarusoonuge, GA. Dhaandhoo. Authorities have said that two of the missing crew were foreign workers, an Indian national and a Sri Lankan national. The Coast Guard has not specified whose body was recovered in the afternoon.

Search operations continue for the remaining crew member. The capsized landing craft sank after overturning, and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has issued an alert warning seafarers to watch for floating debris moving east of Thulhaagiri.

The accident occurred amid a weather alert issued by the Maldives Meteorological Service, which warned of torrential rain, thunderstorms, strong winds, and rough seas across the country. Authorities have urged seafarers to limit travel at sea to essential trips only.