Foreign Ministry says it is engaging with its bilateral partners to secure additional assistance and technical support for the ongoing search operation to find three missing people, including two rescuers, after a supply boat sank last Thursday.
Authorities rescued 7 out of the 8 crew members on the vessel traveling from Male' to Huvadhoo Atoll after it had started to take on water. However, two rescuers and the captain of the boat went missing after the boat suddenly sank while they were still on the vessel. The two rescuers have been identified as a police officer and a soldier from the Maldives National Defence Force, MNDF.
The Foreign Ministry said via X today that it was working closely with the Defence Ministry, Home Ministry, the Maldives National Defence Force, and the Police following the capsizing and sinking of the boat, named 'Friends 4'.
The Ministry said that its immediate priority remains locating the three persons who are still missing after the incident.
The Foreign Ministry noted that its thoughts were with the missing persons, their families, and loved ones during this difficult time. It assured that it would continue to coordinate closely with all relevant authorities and partners and mobilize every available effort in support of the ongoing search.
The search operation for the three missing persons continues via sea and air, according to the MNDF.
