Minister Fails to Clarify Government Efforts to Seek International Help in Search for Three Missing Maldivians

Despite the government's announcement that it has decided to seek international assistance to locate three Maldivians missing in the Huvadhu Sea, no further details regarding these efforts have been disclosed.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Sunday that it is seeking assistance from neighboring countries to locate individuals who went missing during a rescue operation involving a supply boat. However, more than 24 hours have passed since that announcement, and the government has yet to disclose any further details regarding the matter.

RaajjeTV's attempts to contact Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam for further details regarding this matter were unsuccessful, as she did not respond to phone calls. The Minister also did not respond to messages sent by the station.

The government previously stated that efforts were underway to seek international assistance in the search for the three Maldivians missing at sea. Is there an update on this matter? Have discussions been initiated with any foreign nations, and has there been any response?

RaajjeTV's inquiry to Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam

The incident occurred on the night of August 5, 2026, at approximately 22:37, when a supply boat carrying a cargo of aggregates and river sand sank while en route from Th. Madifushi to Huvadhu Atoll. Of the eight individuals on board at the time of the incident, seven were rescued by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). However, a soldier and a police officer involved in the rescue operation, along with the vessel's captain, remain missing.

Neither President Muizzu nor any senior government officials have issued a statement regarding the incident, while the decision to seek international assistance in the search for the missing individuals was only made three days later.