The MNDF Air Corps has deployed UAV drones to search for the missing Maduvvari vessel, Farihi-2.
MNDF stated that Coast Guard Harbor Craft 114 began search operations for the "Farihi 2" vessel at 23:20 on Friday. Additionally, the MNDF Air Force has now launched a "UAV" drone into the area to search for the vessel. This marks the first time a drone has been used in a search and rescue operation.
The Farihi-2, a vessel used for diving excursions, departed for reef fishing around 4:00 PM on Friday. Three individuals from Maafushi were on board. Although they left for fishing stating they would return around 8:00 PM, they did not return even after 8:00 PM had passed, prompting the vessel's owner, Ibrahim Faisal, to report the matter to the Police and the Coast Guard.
As of now, it has not been possible to contact the phones of any of the individuals who went fishing.
Regarding this incident, the Police stated that they received information about the vessel being missing without a trace around 22:06 on Friday. Upon receiving the information, the M. Atoll Police launch has been conducting search operations for the vessel and the individuals. The Police have requested anyone with information about the vessel or the individuals to share it by calling the Police emergency number 119.
MNDF has also requested anyone with any information regarding this matter to share it by calling the Coast Guard's Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre's toll-free number 191 or 3398898.
Note: The missing vessel is a boat purchased by Ibrahim Faisal of Maduvvari from young Maafushi businessman Aasim Mohamedfulhu (Simbe). However, the registry has not yet been changed to Ibrahim's name. Ibrahim informed that this detail was noted when reporting the incident to the Police and MNDF.
