Individuals lost at sea in landing craft arrive in Malé
The vessel was found after authorities launched a search last Friday, assisted by Indian naval forces
Those onboard the landing craft were reunited with their families on Tuesday, May 23rd
The six individuals aboard a landing craft that went missing near Laamu atoll have arrived in capital city Malé on Tuesday.
The vessel was found after authorities launched a search last Friday, assisted by Indian naval forces. It was located 130 nautical miles off of Isdhoo island. All six individuals onboard the landing craft are safe.
Indian Navy ship, INS Kirch’s aircraft had found the vessel on Saturday evening, although authorities struggled to find a tug boat operator willing to endure severely choppy sea conditions in order to transfer those onboard to the naval ship.
“For the past 36 hours, SENOK Pvt. Ltd. worked hard to find a suitable party to tow the landing craft to Malé. But no party agreed to depart due to bad weather” the military’s spokesperson, Ibrahim Azim had said.
The ship was last contacted before it was reported missing on the night of May 16th at around 09:30. It was boarded by six individuals – 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.
Naeem was unable to steer the craft due to a malfunction in its ramp.
The passengers had left Thulusdhoo of Kaafu atoll and were destined for Laamu atoll.
