The "Udhares" boat that was travelling from Male' to GA. Villin'gili sank late last night with one individual having been reported missing. That individual is GA. Kolamaafushi, Ismail Afeef who was rescued this morning after being found at 10:00am today adrift at sea holding onto a wooden pallet. The 87-year-old spent around 9 hours adrift in high waves.

Afeef showed incredible courage while he was adrift at sea. Even though he is of old age and lacks physical strength, he held onto the pallet with great courage.

Afeef has been able to get in touch with his family in Kolamaafushi by phone with the aid of those around him.

Police said that the "Udhares" boat ran aground a reef near L. Olhuveli and started taking on water and sank, with the police receiving reports around 1:25am last night.

While 13 people were reported to be on the boat, MNDF had worked since last night in their rescue attempts to find Afeef.

A Police media official said that Afeef had been spotted holding onto a wooden pallet by the crew of a supply boat travelling in the area. Afeef is now under treatment at the L. Gan Regional Hospital, according to Police.

The video that captured the rescue of Afeef showed him holding onto a wooden pallet with both hands. His body was completely submerged under the water, with only his head being visible due to the large waves.

The video shows a life ring being thrown into the water to bring Afeef on board.

After he was rescued, an image was shared that showed him wrapped up to help him with the cold as he had stayed in the water for hours.

Sources say that Afeef spent his life teaching the Quran and as an Imam. He had gone to Male' on the Udhares boat in order to meet with the live-in expatriate for his home.

"The incident occurred when they were going back from Male' after meeting with the expatriate," as was said by a source.

 Of the 13 on board when the incident occurred, one foreigner swam to nearby Olhuveli, with the remaining 11 individuals rescued by a boat from the resort and Afeef nowhere in sight at the time, Police said earlier.

"This includes two Maldivians and nine foreigners. All 12 who were rescued are in good health," as was stated by a message from a Police media official.