MNDF Urges Vessels to Stay Alert After Search for Two Missing Foreigners Hits Dead End
The landing craft was travelling from K. Thilafushi towards Gaafaru when it began taking on water and sank on Friday. There were 10 people on board, including two Maldivians and eight foreign nationals.
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has urged vessels travelling near Gaafaru and surrounding islands to keep a lookout for two foreign nationals still missing after a landing craft vessel (LCV) sank in the area, as an extensive search and rescue operation has yet to locate them.
The MNDF said its Coastguard has been conducting air, sea and diving operations since Friday to locate the two missing people following the vessel’s sinking near K. Gaafaru.
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The MNDF Air Corps has searched 3,580 square kilometres by air and sea, while the Coastguard Ship Imaaduddin and Fast Interceptor Craft have covered 441 square nautical miles. Coastguard divers have also searched 675,120 square metres through diving operations.
Despite the extensive search, the two missing people have not yet been found.
The MNDF has asked vessels travelling through the area and nearby islands to remain vigilant and report any information about the missing individuals. Information can be provided to the MNDF Coastguard on the toll-free number 191, or 3395981 and 3398898. The fax number is 3391665.
The LCV was travelling from K. Thilafushi to Gaafaru when it began taking on water and sank on Friday. Ten people were on board, including two Maldivians and eight foreign nationals.
Eight people survived the incident and were brought to Gaafaru on Friday, while police confirmed that the two people still missing are foreign nationals.
The incident occurred amid rough weather affecting large parts of the Maldives during the ongoing southwest monsoon.
