Search area for two missing crew members expands to over 2,000 square nautical miles
2 އޯގަސްޓު 2026 | އާދީއްތަ 09:32Despite the Maldives Coast Guard and Air Corps conducting an extensive search operation covering 2,747 square nautical miles, two expatriates remain missing after a landing craft capsized near Gaafaru. While eight survivors have received medical treatment on Gaafaru island, Coast Guard divers are continuing to search the underwater site where the vessel foundered.
Landing craft capsizes near K. Gaafaru. | MNDF
The Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) has announced that an extensive search operation by sea and air is underway to locate two individuals missing after a landing craft capsized near K. Gaafaru last Friday.
According to the MNDF, a joint operation between the Coast Guard and the Air Corps has so far covered a search area of 2,747 square nautical miles to locate the missing individuals. Additionally, MNDF divers have conducted underwater searches at the site where the landing craft foundered.
The Coast Guard ship 'Imaduddin' and a fast interceptor craft are currently active in the search operation. However, the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has confirmed that the two missing expatriates have not yet been located.
Eight out of the ten people on board the landing craft were rescued following the incident, which occurred around 8:48 a.m. last Friday. Those rescued include two Maldivians and six foreign nationals.
The survivors of the incident have been transported to Gaafaru. While they sustained relatively minor injuries, reports indicate that everyone is generally in good health.
