Man drowns in surf point near Gaddhoo

A local man who took tourists to the surf point near Gaafu Dhaalu Gaddhoo has died after drowning.

Sources say that the man died at the surfing point is 36-year-old Mohamed Hussain from Gaafu Dhaalu Vaadhoo.

Talking to Sun Media, member of the Vaadhoo Island Council, Mohamed Ahmed said that the captain of the launch that took tourists from the island to the surf spot this morning died after drowning.

He said that the information available now indicates that the he down while trying to upright the vessel after it got capsized in a wave while waiting near the reef after dropping off the tourists at the surf point.

The Vaadhoo Council member said that after the boat capzised, he walked on the shallow reef to get the cloths which were in the water while another vessel in the area pull the launch out of the reef. And with the launch now further out, he waited on a rock. Moments later, the people on the other boat couldn’t find him and so a search began. When he was found, he was under water.

“He was under water for about 30 minutes.” Vaadhoo Council Member, Mohamed Ahmed said.

The body of the deceased is currently in Gaddhoo Health Center and when he was brought in at the Health Center, foam was noticed around his mouth according to Council Member, Mohamed Ahmed. He said that they are working to bring the body to Vaadhoo.