Rescue officers have on Thursday found the body of a man reported missing in Olhahali island in Kaafu atoll, which is being developed into a tourist resort.

The Bangladeshi citizen was reported missing at 20:25 on Wednesday and his body was recovered from seven meters below surface. Officers said his body will be brought to capital city Malé by 09:15am.

The man was a staff at the development site and while he is reported to have descended into the water willingly by himself, his employers have said that he could not swim.

The Maldives National Defence Force said that they dispatched their ‘Maafai’ vessel, which is described to be a ‘fast intercepting’ craft and is used heavily in maritime rescue operations, to his rescue almost immediately after the incident was reported.