Assistance sought from India in search of

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has asked for assistance from India in the search of a boat named “Hiyvvaru” which was known to be traveling south bound for Huvadhoo atoll. The boat belongs to Seenu atoll Maradhoo.

In a press briefing held at the Coast Guard Building this evening, Colonel Abul-RaheemAbul-Latheef said that in previous similar cases India has lent its assistance and so, MNDF has sought out India’s assistance in the operation to find “Hiyvvaru” as well. He said that he hopes and expects the Indians will respond promptly.

“In previous such operations, India has helped us a great deal. Therefore we have asked for their help this time as well. God willing, we are expecting to get their assistance soon. Then we can expand the operation even further,” said Colonel Abdul-Raheem.

He also said that the boat was carrying 3 foreigners, 5 Maldivians and an 11-year-old child. Captain Ahmed Mujthaba said that the MNDF has asked coordinating centers in neighboring countries Sri Lanka, India, Seychelles and Mauritius to provide information about boats travelling through their waters. MNDF helicopter has been carrying out searches since yesterday and a Maldivian flight has also been chartered to carry out wider searches today.

The owner of the boat said that last contact with the boat was at 4pm last Thursday. With the assistance of Dhiraagu, the area from which the last phone call was made has also been thoroughly searched. According to Captain Mujthaba, the boat was about 10 miles west of LaamuMaavah when it last made contact.

“Last contact with the boat was on the 29th of last month at 4pm. From what the owner of the boat has told us, attempts to contact with the boat since then has been unsuccessful. We then tried through Dhiraagu to obtain the location from which the last phone call originated. We learned from the fix that the boat was about 10 miles west of L. Maavah. Since then and until now, we have had no contact with the boat. We have obtained and tried to contact every mobile phone number thought to be on that boat but with no success,” said Captain Mujthaba.

He also said that harbor crafts from Laamu atoll and HaaDhaalu atoll were dispatched from the time information of the missing boat was first reported. Three harbor crafts and the coast guard ship Huravee is also now active in seeking for the boat.

MNDF said that they will not stop searching for the boat and that there is still hope that it will be found. They also said that they estimate the boat to still be within Maldivian territorial waters.