Police assist sinking cargo boat near Fuvahmulah

A cargo vessel transporting goods to Fuvahmulah has begun sinking in rough seas, prompting an emergency response from the Maldives Police Service. 

According to police, the supply boat Raasthaa issued a distress call while travelling approximately 12 nautical miles off the coast of Fuvahmulah on Wednesday afternoon.

The incident was reported to Police by the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) at 3:08 p.m. The vessel was carrying five individuals, four Maldivians and one foreigner, all of whom are currently receiving assistance from responding authorities. Police said efforts are underway to stabilise the vessel and ensure the safety of those onboard.

ފުވައްމުލައް ސިޓީއަށް ދަތުރުކުރަމުންދިޔަ "ރާސްތާ" ނަމަކަށް ކިޔާ މުދާ އުފުލާ ސަޕްލައި ދޯންޏެއް، އެ ރަށާ ގާތްގަނޑަކަށް 12 ނޯޓިކަލް މޭލު ބޭރުން ދިޔަވަމުންދާ ކަމުގެ މަޢުލޫމާތު ލިބިގެން ފުލުހުން ދަނީ ހަރަކާތްތެރި ވަމުންނެވެ. މި ހާދިސާގެ މައުލޫމާތު މޯލްޑިވްސް ނޭޝަނަލް ޑިފެންސް ފޯސް (އެމް.އެން.ޑީ.އެފް) އިން ފުލުހުންނަށް ރިޕޯޓްކޮށްފައިވަނީ މިއަދު ގެ މެންދުރުފަހު 15:08 ހާއިރުއެވެ. ހަތަރު ދިވެހިންނާއި ބިދޭސީއަކާއެކު ޖުމްލަ ފަސް މީހުންނާއެކު ދަތުރުކުރަމުންދިޔަ މި އުޅަނދަށާއި، އުޅަނދުގައި ތިބި މީހުންނަށް ބޭނުންވާ އެހީތެރިކަން ފޯރުކޮށްދިނުމުގެ މަސައްކަތް ފުލުހުން މިހާރު ދަނީ ކުރަމުންނެވެ.

— Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) October 21, 2026

The incident occurred amid worsening weather conditions across the country. A yellow alert was issued for regions from Kaafu to Laamu Atoll between 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm, with forecasts of heavy rain, thunderstorms and winds reaching up to 45 mph. 

Authorities have urged seafarers and the public to remain cautious as hazardous conditions continue during the monsoon season.