Soldier dies after landing craft capsizes near Kaadhishoo

A Maldivian soldier has died following the capsizing of a landing craft in the sea near Kaadhishoo earlier on Wednesday, according to authorities.

The vessel was carrying six individuals when it overturned at approximately 10:30 a.m. The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) confirmed that the deceased is Warrant Officer 2 Ali Hamid. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the Lh. Naifaru Atoll Hospital.

The MNDF, in coordination with air and sea assets, located the vessel and carried out a rescue operation. Five individuals were transported to the Naifaru Atoll Hospital for treatment. Among them were two Bangladeshi nationals and three Maldivians.

One of the passengers, a Bangladeshi national, remains unaccounted for as of the latest reports. Search efforts are ongoing.

The landing craft was en route to Lhaviyani Atoll from Male at the time of the incident. Authorities have not yet disclosed further details regarding the cause of the capsizing.