Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), on Wednesday, confirmed that the expatriate reported missing following the capsizing of a cargo vessel still remains unaccounted for.
The capsizing of the cargo boat, ‘Balma 6’, near Taj Exotica Resort was reported to authorities at approximately 7:27am on Sunday morning.
Four people were aboard the vessel at the time of the incident. Two were rescued by a passing boat, while the other two were reported missing: a Maldivian and an expatriate.
The Maldivian, 60-year-old Ali Hussain from B. Hithaadhoo, who is the capsized boat’s captain, was later found deceased in Taj Exotica Resort's lagoon. He is an experienced captain who spent the majority of his life at sea.
60-year-old Ali Hussain from B. Hithaadhoo, the boat captain who died.
When questioned by Sun on Wednesday, MNDF said the search for the expatriate is still ongoing. While Sun sought details about the area covered in the search, the media official said that this information has not yet been received.
Today marks the fourth day of the search.
Maldives, a country surrounded by sea, often sees tragic accidents at sea, many of which have claimed lives.