Seven maritime incidents reported in just 24 hours
MNDF reported several maritime incidents on July 10
MNDF Coast Guard
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has revealed that seven different maritime incidents were reported to the Coast Guard on Thursday, as rough seas and adverse weather conditions continue to engulf several regions of the island nation.
MNDF revealed that the incidents reported between 12pm and 10:30pm on July 10 included: a person who went missing while traveling from Gadhdhoo island in Gaaf Dhaal atoll to Gan island in a dinghy; a person who disappeared while canoeing from Uthurumaafushi Resort in Raa atoll; an engine failure of a vessel carrying four people near Ari Atoll; a safari boat with 22 guests and 15 crew members flooding near Dharavandhoo in Baa Atoll; a launch with four people running aground near Girifinolhu in Kaafu Atoll; a fishing boat with seven people going missing from Meemu atoll; and a cargo ship carrying eight Maldivians and four foreigners sinking while traveling from the capital Malé City to Hithadhoo island in Laamu atoll.
The person who went missing while traveling from Gadhdhoo island in Gaaf Dhaal atoll to Gan island in a dinghy has not yet been found.
The MNDF Southern Area Command and Coast Guard Fourth Squadron are continuing the search operation.
The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has revealed that a report was made about a 79-year-old Maldivian man who left Gadhdhoo for Gan in a dinghy around 9:30am on Thursday going missing. Initial investigations suggest that he departed from Gan around 11:15am. The police also highlighted that he was last seen wearing a blue short-sleeved shirt and black shorts.
In addition to this, MNDF reported that the person who went missing while canoeing from Uthurumaafushi Resort in Raa atoll has reportedly swum to and reached Dhuvaafaru Island, also in Raa atoll.
The vessel that experienced engine failure near Ari Atoll with four people on board is now being towed to Malé City by another vessel.
MNDF reported that the liveaboard vessel that began flooding near Dharavandhoo with 22 guests and 15 crew members onboard, safely entered Dharavandhoo harbor at around 10:23pm on July 10. Police officers provided assistance to the safari vessel.
Further, the four people on the speedboat that ran aground near K. Girifinolhu were transported to Himmafushi island of Kaafu atoll at 12:05am on July 11 by a Coast Guard Second Squadron's speedboat.
The fishing boat with seven people that went missing from Meemu atoll has not yet been found, and the MNDF Coast Guard is continuing the search operation.
The cargo ship named "Ocean Express," which was traveling from Malé City to L. Hithadhoo with eight Maldivians and four foreigners, sank near Rihiveli Maldives Resort. All individuals on board were safely brought to Malé at around 10:52pm on July 10. They were transported to Malé using a speedboat from Olhuveli Beach Resort and the Coast Guard's Harbor craft 113.
