Two missing after landing craft sinks near Gaafaru

Two people have been reported missing after a landing craft travelling from K. Thilafushi sank near K. Gaafaru.

According to the Maldives Police Service, the incident was reported at approximately 8:48am on Friday morning. Ten people were on board the vessel when it sank.

While eight of the 10 occupants were rescued, a search and rescue operation is ongoing to locate the remaining two individuals.

The Maldives Police Service stated that efforts to locate the missing individuals are continuing.

The incident comes as Maldives experiences severe weather conditions.

According to the weather forecast issued by the Maldives Meteorological Service (Met Office), valid until 18:00pm on Friday evening, widespread rainfall is expected across the country, with heavy showers and thunderstorms likely in some areas. Winds of 10 to 20 mph are forecast for the southern atolls, while other regions are expected to experience winds ranging from 15 to 25 mph. The Met Office also warned that wind gusts could reach up to 50 mph during showers. 

The Met Office further forecast that seas in the southern atolls will be moderately rough, becoming rough during squalls, while sea conditions elsewhere are expected to remain generally rough. Wave heights are forecast to range between five and seven feet in the central and northern atolls, and between four and six feet in the southern atolls. Authorities have also warned of the risk of tidal flooding during high tide and urged the public to exercise caution and remain vigilant as adverse weather conditions persist.