Body found off Kinolhas not that of missing Russian tourist: Police

Police have said that a body found off the coast of Raa atoll Kinolhas does not belong to the missing Russian tourist.

Authorities were informed on 4 January of a body floating at sea.

Police said the remains were badly decomposed, making it initially impossible to identify the individual’s gender. DNA testing later confirmed that the body was that of a man.

Speculation had circulated that the remains could belong to a Russian tourist who went missing while swimming near Alifu Alifu Ukulhas last month. Police said this was not the case.

“Based on DNA test results of the body found near Kinolhas on 21 December 2025, it has been confirmed that it is not the body of the missing Russian tourist,” police said in a statement.

Police added that forensic samples are being collected and that necessary procedures are ongoing.