President urges seafarers to follow weather advisories in wake of tragic marine accident

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu urged seafarers to follow weather advisories issued by authorities on Thursday, as he expressed profound sadness over a marine accident earlier in the day, which left at least one person dead.

On early Thursday, Almaak Fiya, a 100-foot landing craft, was headed from Male’ City to the resort island of K. Eriyadhoo with a crew of seven people when it overturned. At least one person has been found dead while two remain missing.

In a post on X on Thursday morning, President Muizzu, who is on a tour of Sh. Atoll, expressed profound sadness to learn of the tragedy.

He prayed for the deceased, and for patience to the bereaved family.

He also offered a prayer for the two people who remain missing to be found safe, and for a quick recovery to the survivors from the physical and mental toll the tragedy has left them with.

President Muizzu also provided assurance of the government’s full support towards assisting all crew members, and in finding the two who remain missing.

إِنَّا ِللهِ وَإِنَّآإِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُون

ކޮޅުވެއްޓިއެއް ބަންޑުންޖެހުމުގެ ހިތާމަވެރި ޙާދިސާއެއް ރޭ ހިނގައި، އެ އުޅަނދުން ދަތުރުކުރި އެކަކު ނިޔާވެފައި ވަނިކޮށް ފެނުނު ޚަބަރު އަޅުގަނޑު އަޑުއެހީ ފުން ހިތާމައާއެކު.

މަރްޙޫމަށް ﷲގެ ރުއްސެވުމާއި ފުއްސެވުމަށް އެދި ދުޢާކޮށް، އެ…

— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) October 16, 2025

“I wish for patience to the families of all these crew members. God willing, all relevant government agencies will provide their full support and do everything they can to assist all crew members, and find the missing persons, as a matter of priority,” he wrote.

He also took the opportunity to make a public appeal to follow instructions and advisories issued by the authorities amid bad weather conditions.

“I take this opportunity to advise seafarers to adhere to appeals made by relevant institutions and ascertain safety during bad weather conditions,” he wrote.

The tragedy on Thursday had come amid a weather alert by the Maldives Meteorological Service, warning of torrential rain, thunderstorms, strong winds and rough seas across the country.

The Coast Guard continues to search for the two missing crew members.