Maldives National Defense Force MNDF says it has combed through 69.3 nautical miles of the Giravaru sea in its search to find the missing man who disappeared on a dive to hunt for octopus near Gulheefalhu lagoon.

MNDF had reported earlier that 21-year-old Shuraih Hassan had been missing since Friday after he had gone octopus hunting that day. He was reported missing around 08:58 am that day.

MNDF had said today that they had extended the search for the missing man and had been using most of the resources on hand for the search.

MAP of MNDF search area/ Photo: MNDF

They said that MNDF had been using a harbor craft launch as well as a fast inspector craft in its search for the 21-year-old and had combed a vast area between Bolifushi, Gulheefalhu, and Villimale'.

MNDF said that it had now searched an area of 69.3 nautical miles.

They added that MNDF was also using Surface Search techniques to find the missing youth.

Shuraih was last seen wearing a grey t.shirt and black shorts.