Home Minister Ali Ihusaan and Commissioner of Police Ahmed Mohamed met the family of Police Sergeant Ali Nafiu on Thursday, after he went missing while attempting to rescue people from a sinking boat.

The minister and police leadership visited Nafiu's home and met his wife, child and other family members. Deputy Commissioner of Police Farhad Fikry, Assistant Commissioner Mohamed Jamsheed and several senior police officers also attended the meeting.

Minister Ihusaan said the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and police are using all available resources to search for the missing people.

He said he had briefed President Dr Mohamed Muizzu on the meeting. The President has prayed for the family to have patience and strength during the difficult time, Ihusaan said.

The minister said the area where the boat sank is more than 1,650 metres deep and that the government is seeking assistance from foreign parties through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Commissioner Ahmed said Nafiu had been acting with the noble intention of saving lives and property when he went missing.

He provided the family with an update on the search operation and said police would make every effort to locate Nafiu.

Ahmed also conveyed condolences from police officers across the Maldives and said a special team had been assigned to investigate the incident. He added that police are providing the family with the necessary assistance.

An MNDF officer and another person also went missing while attempting to rescue the vessel. A large area has been searched by both sea and air as the search operation continues.