Search launched after barge towed by tugboat goes missing

Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has started searching for a barge that went missing after its rope broke while being towed by a tugboat.

MNDF said in a statement today that one of two barges towed by tugboat ‘Muthaa Royal’ from Seenu Gan to Kaafu Guraidhoo has gone missing after the rope connecting it to the tugboat got cut off, and that the incident was reported at 8:15 a.m. on Sunday morning.

MNDF cited the captain of the tugboat and said that the black, 60-ft barge carrying two 20-ft containers went missing about 17 nautical miles off southeast Gadhdhoo in Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll.

Search efforts are under way by MNDF Southern Area Coast Guard Squadron, and MNDF Kurangi Helicopter is also employed in the search.

The barge is expected to be drifting in Addu Kandu, and MNDF has advised caution by travellers in this area especially in the night.

MNDF has urged anyone with information on this barge to contact 191, 3395981, or 3398898 without delay.