Over 2,000 NM² canvassed in search for missing sailors after landing craft sinking

The Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) has canvassed over 2,000 square nautical miles through maritime and aerial efforts in the search for two sailors who went missing on Friday, after the landing craft they were on capsized off K. Gaafaru.

The vessel had been traveling from K. Thilafushi with a crew of 10 – two Maldivians and eight expatriates – when it sank off Gaafaru on Friday morning. Eight sailors were safely rescued, while two, both of them Indian nationals, went missing.

In a post on X on early Sunday, the MNDF said that the Coast Guard continues to search for the missing sailors.

“The MNDF Coast Guard and the MNDF Air Corps have searched 2,747 square nautical miles through maritime and aerial efforts, while the MNDF Coast Guard divers conducted dives and searched the location where the LCV sank,” reported the MNDF.

The newly commissioned Coast Guard ship Imaduddin has also been deployed in the search operation.

“The two expatriates have yet to be found,” said the MNDF.

The eight people rescued from the landing craft were taken to Gaafaru.

The marine accident took place amid rough seas and strong winds unleashed by monsoon rains.