Search Ongoing for Missing Foreign National After Landing Craft Capsizes Near Kaashidhoo

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has confirmed that the search operation continues for a foreign national who went missing after a landing craft capsized off the coast of Kaashidhoo.

The vessel, identified as a CIVEC landing craft, was en route from Malé to Lhaviyani Atoll when it overturned. At the time of the incident, six individuals were on board—three MNDF personnel and three Bangladeshi nationals.

Following the capsize, one MNDF officer and one foreign national were reported missing. The MNDF officer, later recovered from underwater, was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. He has been identified as Warrant Officer 2 Ali Hamid from Th. Hirilandhoo, a veteran of 27 years of service.

The remaining four individuals were successfully rescued.

The MNDF has deployed drones for aerial surveillance and Coast Guard vessels for surface search operations. So far, search efforts have covered 1,035 square nautical miles on the surface and 1,496 square nautical miles by air. Despite these extensive efforts, the missing foreign national has not yet been located.

MNDF stated that the cause of the incident is still under investigation.