MNDF Searches 9,482 Square Nautical Miles for Three Missing 

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has covered a total of 9,482.10 square nautical miles through aerial and maritime search operations for three people who remain missing after the supply vessel ‘Friend 4’ sank earlier this month.

According to the latest update from the MNDF, search teams have covered 7,512 square nautical miles by air and 1,970.10 square nautical miles by sea in an extensive effort to locate the missing individuals. No trace of the three people has been found so far.

The incident occurred on the night of 5 August, when ‘Friend 4’, a supply vessel carrying construction aggregates and sand, was travelling from Laamu Atoll to Huvadhu Atoll. The vessel sank after taking on water amid turbulent seas and deteriorating weather conditions.

The three missing individuals have been identified as Police Sergeant Ali Nafiu, 33; MNDF Staff Sergeant Ibrahim Ahmed, 39; and the vessel’s captain, Mohamed Hamdhoon, 35, of Donveli, Th. Madifushi.

The MNDF and Maldives Police Service have maintained a joint search and rescue operation since the incident, with aerial and maritime assets deployed to search the surrounding area.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also been coordinating with the Ministry of Defence, MNDF, Ministry of Homeland Security, Labour and Technology, and Maldives Police Service in response to the incident.

In a statement issued on 8 August, the Foreign Ministry said the immediate priority remains locating the three missing persons. It added that discussions are underway with bilateral partners to secure additional assistance and technical support for the ongoing search operation, including efforts related to the sunken vessel.

The ministry also expressed solidarity with the missing individuals’ families and loved ones, assuring that it would continue coordinating with relevant authorities and partners and mobilising all available efforts to support the search.