Cargo boat caught on fire sinks; drone utilized to locate missing youth

Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) states that the cargo boat that was which caught on fire on Wednesday night sunk at 02:07am early Thursday morning.

According to MNDF, the fire at ‘Holhudhoo Boat’ which was traveling across Thaa Atoll, was reported to the authority at 21:07pm on Wednesday night.

Subsequently, MNDF’s Central Area Command Coastguard attended to the scene.

Sun has learned that the boat was near Th. Kandoodhoo at the time of the fire.

MNDF, via a post on X, urged seafarers traveling in the area to exercise caution as parts of the vessels have been cast adrift, especially during the night time.

The boat was carrying a total of 18 people at the time of the fire. MNDF confirmed 17 of them had been rescued and identified the missing passenger as Ali Mushfiq Mohamed, 25, from L. Maavah.

MNDF’s Central Area Command Coastguard has been active near the incident site, seeking to locate Mushfiq. In this regard, MNDF said it was utilizing a drone in the search operation.

Apart from drone usage, MNDF said Coastguard ships 'Ghaazee,' 'FIC Maafaiy,' and 'HP 114,' along with divers and soldiers from the Central Area Command, are also undertaking search efforts both on the surface and underwater.

While one is missing, two who were traveling on board the vessel, one local and one expatriate, were taken to Kandoodhoo Health Centre for treatment. According to the Health Centre, while the two did not sustain any external injuries, they had been in shock.

The Health Centre said they were arranging for the two to be transferred to Dh. Kudahuvadhoo Hospital for further treatment.