Public assistance sought in search for two missing persons from capsized landing craft
4 އޯގަސްޓު 2026 | އަންގާރަ 07:13Despite an extensive air and sea search operation covering a vast area, authorities have yet to locate the two expatriates missing since their landing craft capsized near K. Gaafaru. The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has now issued an appeal for assistance from the public and vessels navigating the region to report any sightings or information.
MNDF continues search for two individuals missing from landing craft. | MNDF
The Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) has appealed for public assistance in the ongoing search for two individuals missing since their landing craft capsized near K. Gaafaru on July 31. Despite extensive efforts, authorities confirmed that no significant breakthroughs have been made in locating the missing persons.
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has stated that the Coast Guard has been conducting extensive sea and air search operations since last Friday to locate two individuals missing after a landing craft capsized near Kaafu Atoll Gaafaru. According to the MNDF, the search is focused on two expatriates who went missing during the incident. Authorities confirmed that significant efforts have been made to locate the missing persons since the operation began.
According to the MNDF, the Air Corps has so far covered an area of 3,580 square kilometers by air and sea, while the Coast Guard Ship *Imaduddin* and fast interceptor craft have searched an area of 441 square nautical miles. Additionally, despite MNDF Coast Guard divers scouring an underwater area of 675,120 square meters, authorities confirmed that the two missing individuals have yet to be found.
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has requested vessels traveling in the area and residents of nearby islands to keep a lookout for any sign of the two missing individuals. Anyone with information regarding their whereabouts is urged to immediately contact the MNDF Coastguard via their toll-free hotline at 191, or through the telephone numbers 3395981 and 3398898. Information can also be sent via fax to 3391665.
Eight out of the ten people on board the landing craft were rescued following the incident, which occurred last Friday morning around 8:48 a.m. The rescued group consists of two Maldivians and six foreign nationals. While those rescued have been transported to Gaafaru with relatively minor injuries, reports indicate that everyone is generally in good condition.
