Maldives seeks foreign aid to find three missing after vessel sinking

The Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs is seeking international technical and logistical assistance to locate three men missing after the supply vessel Friend 4 sank. The vessel was traveling from Laamu Atoll toward Huvadhu Atoll (specifically near Gaafu Dhaalu Kudalafari) carrying construction sand and aggregate when it began taking on water due to rough seas.

Of the eight people on board, seven were rescued shortly after a distress call. However, the vessel's captain, Mohamed Hamdhoon, remained on board alongside MNDF Staff Sergeant Ibrahim Ahmed and Police Sergeant Ali Nafiu to operate pumps in an attempt to stabilize the boat. The vessel suddenly tilted and sank, leaving the three men missing.

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) reports that aerial searches have covered 6,112 square nautical miles and maritime teams have searched 1,370 square nautical miles, with no signs of the missing men found yet. Authorities noted that the vessel sank in waters estimated to be approximately 1,645 meters deep, making recovery of the sunken vessel impractical.