Maldives Police Service confirmed on Wednesday that a dead body identified as the local man reported missing while fishing in the reef of Madaveli, Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll, was discovered in the early hours of Wednesday.
According to Police, Madaveli-born Mohamed Saeed, aged 72, was found on the island's beach area around 1211hrs. He was deceased even when he was taken to Madaveli Health Centre.
Authorities had formerly revealed Saeed was reported to be missing at 1300hrs on Tuesday afternoon.
Saeed's whereabouts came into question after he went fishing at the island's house reef with a cast net, and failed to return.