A soldier has died when a landing craft capsized in the Kaashidhoo sea earlier today.
The Maldives National Defence Force, MNDF, identified the soldier as Warrant Officer 2 Ali Hameed. MNDF said that he was declared dead on arrival at the Lhaviyani Atoll hospital.
MNDF said that 6 people traveled in the landing craft that capsized, including 3 soldiers and 3 foreigners from Bangladesh. They said that one of the Bangladeshi nationals is missing, and search and rescue operations are currently underway.
The landing craft was en route to Lhaviyani Atoll from Male' when it capsized, and MNDF confirmed that the report of the incident came around 10:30 in the morning.
Meanwhile, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu posted a message of condolences to the deceased soldier's family, stating that he was deeply upset when he received the news of the tragedy.
The President noted that Warrant Officer 2 Hameed had the Maldivian army with honors for 27 years and gave his life while on military duty for national service.
The President stated that he stood by the family and the army in this time of tragedy.
