Search ongoing for Thasleem 11 days since reported missing

Maldives Police Service states search efforts for the man who went missing on August 30^th after traveling to a sandbank with his friends have continued uninterrupted.

Thasleem Mohamed, 43, M. Asaree Handhaan, K. Male’, was reported missing to the police by his family at 01:00 pm on August 30th. 

A family member told Sun that he had gone with his friends to a sandbank located to the south of Huvafen Fushi, a resort located in K. Atoll on August 30th. 

He went missing at the sandbank.

Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) has shared the details of the area searched to locate Thasleem as of Sunday with Sun.

In this regard, MNDF said they have searched 1,050,000 square meters surrounding the sandbank where he went missing to assist the Police in their search efforts.

When Sun inquired from the Police regarding the search efforts, a Police Spokesperson said the search for Thasleem has continued uninterrupted.

Thasleem’s family told Sun on Tuesday that they have inquired regarding the search efforts from the Police on a daily basis.

Citing the Police, the family said everyone who went on the trip have been questioned.

The family also noted that Thasleem’s phone remains in Police custody. However, the family, citing the Police, said they were unable to access the phone as the lock code remains unknown.

“We asked why the phone cannot be accessed. They said the phone would need to be sent abroad in order to unlock, which is an extremely expensive and extensive procedure,” the family said.

The family said they have requested to send the phone abroad at their own expense, however, has yet to receive the phone from the Police.

Notably, as information received for the investigation so far does not confirm whether Thasleem went missing after he ventured into the sea, MNDF reports the search operation will be led by the Police. 

A Police spokesperson has previously said that the police find the circumstances surrounding his disappearance suspicious, and have therefore opened a criminal investigation into the case.