MNDF searches 104-nautical-mile area for missing boat crew member

Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) on Tuesday said that the authority has searched an area of 104 nautical miles to locate a crew member who went missing from a local vessel ‘Seamax’ traveling from Addu City to Male’ City.

Raj Kumar, a Nepalese national employed on the vessel went missing some time on Monday evening.

MNDF said that vessels of the authority’s Southern Area Squadron searched an area of 104 nautical miles northeast of Fuvahmulah City, but to no avail.

Earlier, Maldives Police Service confirmed the identity of the vessel and added the disappearance of the crew member came to notice when the vessel was eight miles out of Fuvahmulah City.

Police further confirmed Raj Kumar was present on the vessel when it embarked from Addu City at 23:30 hrs on Monday evening, and he had spoken with the vessel’s captain around 01:15 hrs on Tuesday early hours.

While MNDF is working on searching the missing crew member, police have launched an investigation into the matter.

The Maldives is currently experiencing bad weather conditions across the country, while local authorities have already urged the public to take precautions during their travels.