Foreign crew still missing at sea after cargo vessel Balma-6 capsizes near Malé
A cargo vessel Balma-6 carrying four people capsized near K. Vaadhoo on Sunday morning. Two individuals were rescued, while the body of Maldivian sea captain Ali Hussain was later recovered near Taj Exotica Resort. Search operations continue for one missing foreign crew member, with MNDF conducting extensive searches in the area.
Coast Guard patrolling Malé harbor | RaajjeMV
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has confirmed that search operations are continuing for a foreign national who remains missing after the cargo vessel Balma-6 capsized near Malé City.
Authorities were first alerted to the incident on Sunday morning at 7:27am.
According to MNDF, the vessel Balma-6 was carrying four people when it overturned near K. Vaadhoo. Two individuals were rescued shortly after the incident by a passing boat. However, one Maldivian national and one foreign crew member were reported missing in the aftermath. Later on Sunday, the body of the Maldivian man was recovered near Taj Exotica Resort.
The deceased has been identified as Ali Hussain, from Muniya, B. Hithaadhoo. He was known to be an experienced sea captain.
In an update provided to RaajjeMV, MNDF said search efforts for the missing foreign crew member remain ongoing. Despite extensive searches covering a large area around the site of the capsizing, the individual has yet to be found.
Maritime accidents continue to occur periodically in the Maldives, often resulting in the loss of vessels and human lives.
This incident follows a similar tragedy in October last year, when a landing craft capsized, claiming the lives of one Maldivian national and two foreign nationals.
