Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) stated Wednesday that, a month after a policeman was lost to sea in Addu atoll, search efforts are still ongoing.
Corporal Sumaid Mohamed, 27, of Hithadhoo island had gone fishing with two friends in June. According to his companions, Hussain Saeed and Ibrahim Naif of Feydhoo island, their 17 feet long dinghy had capsized after being struck by a large wave. The duo had survived after swimming to a nearby uninhabited island and later wader across to Shangri-La Resort to seek help.
According to the two men, Sumaid was last seen in the sea near the uninhabited island, Madihera. Sumaid’s mobile phone and fishing rod have been discovered from the uninhabited island while the “capsized” dinghy was also later found.
MNDF stated that the majority of the area where Sumaid was lost has been searched via air and sea by the Coast Guard with aid from the flight school in Addu and diving teams. However, there has been no sign of Sumaid.
Sumaid’s family has raised questions whether the dinghy had truly been overturned as claimed by Sumaid’s friends since the small boat, which was found on Madihera, still contained most of the objects stashed inside. Police have also admitted that they have yet to confirm whether it had “capsized” as claimed. The dinghy is currently in possession of the police.
A special police team has been deployed at Addu to investigate the case.
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