A massive area has been searched to find Ali Mushfiq Mohamed Shareef, 25 and native to Maavah island of Laamu atoll, who went missing from the "Holhudhoo Boat" that caught fire while traveling to Hirilandhoo island of Thaa atoll and sank.

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has revealed that the search for the missing 25-year-old continues and that a surface search of 53.04 square nautical miles has been conducted in this operation so far. In addition to this, an underwater (diving) search of 64,240 square meters has been carried out, while an aerial search of 1,545 square miles which is approximately 4,000 square kilometers, has been conducted.

MNDF Coast Guard Ship “Ghaazee”, FIC “Maafat”, HP 114, divers and Air Corps drones, along with soldiers from MNDF Central Area Command, are continuing to search for the missing man.

MNDF revealed at around 9:35pm on April 2 that the MNDF Central Area Command and Kadhdhoo Fire Station firefighters were responding to a fire on a cargo vessel named "Holhudhoo Boat".

According to the MNDF, they received a report of the fire on the cargo vessel carrying 18 people at around 09:07pm. Upon receiving the report, a team of the MNDF Central Area Command Coast Guard was immediately dispatched to the area where the boat was located.

The agency disclosed that 17 out of the 18 people on board have been rescued. They also noted that the Thaa Atoll Police Station provided significant assistance to the MNDF Central Area Command Coast Guard in the rescue operation.

In addition to this, MNDF went on to reveal that the "Holhudhoo Boat" that caught fire, sank at around 02:07am. As parts of the boat are drifting, MNDF has appealed to those traveling in the area to be cautious, especially those traveling at night. They have also urged caution as the vessel has sunk with its cargo and parts of it are drifting.

The boat caught fire and sank close to Vandhoo island of Thaa atoll.