Number of Maldivians saved from Hivvaru boat is five: Sri Lanka Navy

Sri Lanka Navy has said that the number of Maldivians of Hivvaru boat saved by the Sri Lankan fishing vessel is five, and that the remaining three people are from Bangladesh.

The Lieutenant Commander of Sri Lanka Navy has informed that the eight people are still on board the Sri Lankan fishing vessel.

The people on board ‘Lakeesha’ fishing vessel, as informed by the Sri Lankan Navy, are Abdullah Nasru, Mohamed Shaheem, Ali Ameez, Hassan Khaleel, Shiyam Hameed; and Bangladeshis Akbar, Saleem and Hassan.

Owner of Hivvaru boat Shahruzzaman Wafir of Vanillage, S. Maradhoo, said that the people who were on board Hivvaru boat are Ali Ameez, 11, of Kaafoorutholhige, S. Hithadhoo; captain Abdullah Nasru, 22, of Kaafoorutholhige, S. Hithadhoo; Mohamed Shiham Habeeb, 25, of Violetfehi, S. Hithadhoo; Mohamed Shaheem, 24 of Manzilge; Hassan Khaleel, 42, of Lakshaneevilla, Maradhoo Feydhoo; and Hassan Futhaa, 68, of Sosunvilla, Gdh. Rathafandhoo.

He said that four Bangladeshis were also on board, namely Azkar, Hassan, MD Saleem and Shahaabuddheen.

Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) said earlier that the boat was carrying ten people, made up of seven Maldivians and three foreign nationals.

MNDF Spokesperson Colonel Abdul Raheem Abdul Latheef said today that the eight people taken on board the Sri Lankan fishing vessel about 290 miles east of Ga. Dhaandhoo last night belonged to Hivvaru boat, which was reported missing nine days ago.

He said that the Coast Guard vessel which departed last night has still not arrived at the scene of the incident, and that information will be shared with the media as it is received.

Hivvaru boat went missing on the night of 29 November, after it departed from Male’ en route to Addu. MNDF commenced search efforts for Hivvaru immediately, but without success.