The authorities on Thursday began searching for a landing craft that went missing with six people on board.
The ship was last seen on the night of May 16th at around 09:30. The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has confirmed that there were six individuals on board – two Maldivians and four expatriates whose nationalities have not been specified.
The two Maldivian citizens are the boat’s captain and wife, both reported to be in their 50s. Captain Adam Naeem and his wife Zuleikha Usman are from Villufushi island of Thaa atoll.
On Friday, rescue officers onboard a Trans Maldivian Airways flight along with the MNDF’s CGS Huravee helicopter have been patrolling through air in search of the vessel. Further, two fast interception boats have been conducting their search on sea.
The passengers had left Thulusdhoo of Kaafu atoll and were destined for Laamu atoll. Those waiting for them at their destination had reported the ship missing at 4:16 pm on Thursday, after losing contact for three days.
The ‘Maria 3’ ship is 168 feet long with a green hull.
