Man who ventured into sea to secure rope found dead

A Maldivian man who went missing after diving in the lagoon near the STELCO area in Hulhumale’ on Thursday evening to secure a rope has been found dead.

The Maldives Police Service identified the deceased as 48-year-old Ibrahim Shakir, Raiyvillaage, K. Guraidhoo.

A police media official said the body was discovered underwater at approximately 08:25am on Friday morning. The Police, citing Hulhumale’ Hospital, confirmed that Shakir had already been dead when he was brought to the hospital.

According to the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), the man was a crew member aboard a fuel barge anchored in the lagoon north of the Hulhule’ seaplane terminal. He had reportedly ventured into the water to secure a rope. Following a search operation, his body was recovered from the seaplane terminal lagoon.

The case is under further investigation by the Police.

The incident follows several tragic sea accidents across the Maldives. Recent cases include the deaths of five Italian tourists during a deep-sea diving excursion near V. Alimatha, and a MNDF rescue diver who died in subsequent search for their bodies, as well as a separate incident in which a tourist drowned while surfing near GDh. Vaadhoo.