Landing craft capsized due to sudden listing: MNDF

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has stated that one of its landing crafts capsized in the Kaashidhoo sea while en route from Malé to Lhaviyani Atoll due to sudden listing caused by water ingress.

According to information shared by MNDF with journalist Ali Sulaiman, the vessel began taking on water approximately five miles from Lhaviyani Atoll and capsized suddenly after listing. The vessel has since been confirmed to have sunk to a depth of 550 meters, roughly one mile away from the atoll.

A board of inquiry has been appointed to investigate the circumstances of the incident.

The incident, which occurred last Wednesday, resulted in the death of a military officer and the disappearance of a foreign crew member. The deceased has been identified as Warrant Officer 2 Ali Hamid of Th. Hirilandhoo, a veteran with 27 years of service in the military.

MNDF emphasized that loading operations are conducted under the direct supervision of the captain, and departure decisions are made solely by the captain based on vessel condition and weather. The force noted that no one has the authority to override these decisions.

At the time of the capsize, both the captain and Warrant Officer Hamid were in the vessel’s wheelhouse. The missing Bangladeshi crew member was reportedly in the engine room.

Hamid’s body was later recovered from inside the wheelhouse of the sunken vessel. The search operation for the missing crew member is ongoing.