Maldivian cargo vessel sinks near India

The Maldivian cargo vessel that faced distress near India on Wednesday has sunk completely.

The Indian Coast Guard rescued all 22 crewmembers of the cargo vessel, which was on its way to Male’.

Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Media Officer Abdul Raheem told Sun today MNDF received information that the vessel, MV Asian Express owned by Apollo Company, had sunk completely and that all crewmen are safe. The information was relayed to them late last night, Abdul Raheem said.

He said that the crew were rescued by an Indian Coast Guard vessel and that the they are now being transported to Kochi (Cochin) in the Indian west coast.

He said that MNDF had was informed that the first distress reports also reported that that the vessel was sinking.

“Indian Coast Guard informed MNDF that the vessel was taking in water, so it a safe assumption that it sank due to flooding,” Abdul Raheem said.

MNDF has further said that the boat sank about 115 nautical miles off the coast of Haa Alif Thuraakunu and that the crewmen rescued from the boat include 18 Maldivians and 4 foreigners.