MNDF confirms US military assistance in search for missing persons
17 އޯގަސްޓު 2026 | ހޯމަ 12:36A specialized U.S. Navy aircraft has completed a search of 6,300 square nautical miles in a major operation to locate three individuals missing since the vessel "Friend 4" capsized in the Huvadhu Sea. Despite extensive air and sea surveillance conducted by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) across the Huvadhu channel and surrounding reefs, the missing soldier, police officer, and boat captain remain unaccounted for.
The search area covered in the operation to locate the three individuals missing after the capsizing of the vessel "Friend 4." | MNDF
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has confirmed that U.S. military assistance was received in the search for three Maldivians reported missing at Huvadhu Sea.
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) announced on Monday that the United States government has provided assistance in the search for missing persons following a request from the Maldivian government. As part of this cooperation, a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft conducted an aerial search over the Huvadhu Sea on Sunday. According to the MNDF, the P-8 is a specialized aircraft designed for maritime search and rescue as well as surveillance operations. During Sunday's mission, the aircraft covered an area of 6,300 square nautical miles, completing a comprehensive sweep of the entire Huvadhu Sea region.
Although the MNDF made this announcement, it had previously stated that any assistance from foreign parties in the search for the missing individuals would be officially announced by the government.
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has announced that it has conducted extensive air and sea searches across the Huvadhu Sea to locate three individuals missing after the supply boat "Friend 4" capsized and sank. The vessel went down 4.1 nautical miles northeast of Gaafu Alif Kudalafari during the early hours of August 5, 2026. MNDF further stated that search patterns were adjusted to account for wind and ocean currents, covering potential drift trajectories. These efforts included detailed surveillance of the reefs along the relevant stretches of both Hadhdhunmathi (Laamu) Atoll and Northern Huvadhu (Gaafu Alif) Atoll.
The individuals missing in the incident have been identified as Staff Sergeant Ibrahim Ahmed of the Maldives National Defence Force, Sergeant Ali Naafiu of the Maldives Police Service, and the vessel's captain, Mohamed Hamdhoon. Out of the eight people on board at the time of the incident, seven have been rescued by the MNDF.
