A Sri Lankan national was among three sailors killed after a landing craft carrying seven crew members capsized off the coast of Male on Thursday.
The Almak Fiya, a 100-foot landing craft en route from Male to the resort island of K. Eriyadu, overturned about 1.3 nautical miles off K. Thulhagiri early Thursday morning amid rough weather conditions.
Four crew members were rescued by the Maldives Coast Guard, while three others were reported missing. Their bodies have since been recovered, officials confirmed.
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) announced on Sunday that the third missing sailor, identified as a Sri Lankan national, was found dead on Saturday night. His body was recovered from the waters between OBLU XPERIENCE Ailafushi and Villa Nautica in Kaafu Atoll.
Earlier, Coast Guard divers recovered the bodies of 38-year-old Maldivian Ahmed Shifan and an Indian sailor on Thursday.
The accident occurred as the Maldives Meteorological Department had issued weather warnings for heavy rain, thunderstorms, strong winds, and rough seas.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu expressed deep sorrow over the incident, extending condolences to the victims’ families and assuring that rescue operations would remain a top priority. He also urged seafarers to adhere to safety guidelines and heed weather advisories during adverse conditions.
