22 divers mobilized with Dornier support to locate missing fisher Yoosuf

An extensive search mission is underway to locate Yoosuf Ibrahim, also known as Yoosube, from Alif Dhaalu atoll, Dhangethi, who went missing after setting out on a solo fishing trip.

Yoosuf Ibrahim, aged 68, went fishing in a small boat at dawn on Saturday, October 14. Concerns arose when he was reported missing around 11:40 am the same day.

Yoosuf headed out to sea in a small fishing boat toward the east of Alif Dhaalu Orimas Faru. According to the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), the boat was last seen in the North Sea of Ranveli, spotted by a group of individuals between 9 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. on the same day.

MNDF has intensified search efforts, deploying a Dornier aircraft for assistance and collaborating with resorts and divers in the area where Yoosuf was last seen. The Coast Guard and other vessels are searching the sea for any trace of him, according to an MNDF official.

President of Dhangethi Council, Muaviyath Rasheed, said that ten MNDF divers and twelve local divers have been mobilized to aid in the search operation. Dhangethi boasts one of the largest numbers of divers in the Maldives.

Despite an extensive search in the area where Yoosuf went missing yesterday, he remains unlocated.

Muaviyath said that since 7 a.m., today in coordination with nearby resorts, search is ongoing to locate Yoosuf, with the participation of 14 divers working alongside the MNDF.

Yoosuf was last seen wearing a red T-shirt, according to the MNDF Coast Guard.