While Saturday marks the third day into Nasrullah Abdulla’s disappearance, Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) has revealed that the search for him is ongoing and will continue.
Providing the latest updates regarding Abdulla’s disappearance, MNDF’s Chief Spokesperson Major Ibrahim Azim stressed that they are yet to find the 41-year-old and the dinghy he was on when it crashed.
Nasrullah Abdulla, 41 and native to Eydhafushi island in Baa atoll has been missing since the sea accident was reported to authorities a little past 7pm on Thursday.
Further, authorities revealed that coastguard divers are active and they are also using the diving robot in the search.
Abdulla went missing after a dinghy that set off from Dharavandhoo island of Baa atoll, collided into a speedboat that belongs to Eydhafushi in the same atoll.
While the dinghy is to have sunk after the collision, three out of the four people on-board were boarded onto the speedboat. MNDF’s Coastguard began search for the fourth person, Abdulla, a few hours later along with the help from a Maldives Police Service (MPS) speedboat, speedboats from private parties as well as nearby resorts.
Authorities are yet unsure where Abdulla went missing, however, they predicted him to have gone missing near a reef as they found fishing equipment and a few supplies on the dinghy at the time of the collision, afloat in the region.
Officers have since assured the public that the search is ongoing without a pause and that they are using all resources within reach.
MNDF revealed on Friday morning that a team of divers are active in the search via sea route, and that they have also begun a search via air. A special operation by the MNDF Northern Area CG has also been launched in the efforts to find Abdulla. Authorities have since said that their hopes are high in finding the 41-year-old.
As such, MNDF CG’s Principal Director Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Mujthaba Mohamed revealed to press that they predict Abdulla to have gone missing near the reef south-west of Dhonfanu island and that the search operation is facing complications as they cannot pinpoint an exact location he went missing.
MNDF has also appealed on the public to reach out if any information is attained, through toll free number 191.