Capsizing of "Friend 4": Search area expands to over 9,400 square nautical miles in ongoing efforts to locate missing persons
10 އޯގަސްޓު 2026 | ހޯމަ 09:11Despite extensive air and sea search operations across a vast area, three individuals remain missing after the vessel "Friend 4" foundered in the Huvadhu Channel. The government has faced mounting public criticism over the silence of senior officials regarding the incident, while search and rescue efforts continue to be hampered by the extreme depths of the waters where the boat went down.
An MNDF vessel operating at sea. | MNDF
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has announced that search efforts have covered an area exceeding 9,400 square nautical miles in the ongoing operation to locate a missing soldier, a police officer, and a boat captain who disappeared during a maritime operation.
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) stated on Monday that search operations for the three individuals missing after the "Friend 4" supply boat sank have covered a total area of 9,482.1 square nautical miles. This includes 7,512 square nautical miles surveyed by air and 1,970.10 square nautical miles searched by sea.
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has stated that despite ongoing efforts, the missing individuals have not yet been located. The three people went missing in the Huvadhu Sea, and on the night of October 8, the government announced its decision to seek international assistance, three days after their disappearance.
The incident occurred at approximately 22:37 on the night of August 5, 2026. However, as of August 8, 2026, neither President Muizzu nor any senior government officials have issued a statement regarding the matter.
The government has faced widespread public criticism regarding the matter.
A supply vessel traveling from Th. Madifushi to Huvadhu Atoll with a cargo of aggregates and river sand has completely foundered. The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has successfully rescued seven of the eight individuals who were on board at the time of the incident.
An MNDF officer, speaking to RaajjeMV on condition of anonymity, stated that despite the significant expansion of the search operation, the depth of the area where the supply boat capsized and sank is approximately 5,400 feet. The officer further noted that since the vessel was fully loaded with river sand when it went down, diving to the depth where the wreckage is currently located is an impossible task.
The officer stated that when the approximately 98-foot vessel capsized, the three missing individuals were last seen attempting to pump out water in an effort to keep the boat afloat. It is strongly believed that they became trapped inside the vessel as it overturned.
