A vast area has been searched by sea and air to locate a military officer, a police officer, and the captain of a supply vessel who went missing while attempting to salvage the vessel, which sank after taking on water while traveling from L. Atoll to Huvadhoo Atoll.

MNDF stated that in the operation to search for the three missing individuals in the incident where the supply vessel "Friend 4" sank, an area of 5,212 square nautical miles by air and 1,070.10 square nautical miles by sea has been searched so far, but the missing individuals have not yet been found.

It was reported last Wednesday night past midnight that the supply vessel "Friend 4," carrying a load of aggregate and river sand bound for an uninhabited island called Handas in Lh. Atoll, was taking on water and sinking after being struck by waves.

A total of eight people were on board the vessel, including captain Mohamed Hamdhoon and seven expatriates. However, everyone except Hamdhoon was rescued. Following that incident, MNDF officer Ibrahim Ahmed and police officer Ali Nafiu also went missing at sea while trying to save the vessel.

A person with knowledge of the matter told "Mihaaru News" that the three individuals went missing while trying to bail water to salvage the sinking vessel.

"From what I know, the three had been pumping water off the boat which was fast taking on water. Then the boat toppled, and the three were thrown overboard and have not been seen since. I have been told that there had been sandbags as well in the middle of the boat," they said. 

They said that when the boat, built 17 years ago in 2009, started toppling, some people were able to escape.