Independent probe urged in army landing craft capsize
The military stated that, based on current findings, the vessel capsized suddenly and that the investigation is ongoing.
The Maldives Occupational Safety and Health Association (MOSHA) has raised alarm over the lack of transparency and accountability surrounding last month’s fatal Army Welfare Company (CIVEC) landing craft capsize, calling for an independent investigation into the incident that left one dead and another missing.
The tragedy occurred on June 25, when the landing craft en route from Malé to Lhaviyani Atoll capsized with six people on board — three Maldivian soldiers and three foreign nationals from Bangladesh, according to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).
Warrant Officer 2 Ali Haamid lost his life in the incident. His body was later recovered from the wheelhouse. A Bangladeshi national remains missing and is presumed to have been in the engine room when the vessel overturned.
In a statement issued Monday, MOSHA criticised authorities for withholding critical details, particularly regarding the missing foreign national.
"It is deeply irresponsible that the identity, nationality, and employment details of the missing person have not been disclosed," the association stated.
While the Occupational Safety and Health Act exempts uniformed personnel from certain provisions, MOSHA highlighted that incidents involving civilian workers must be fully investigated and made public. The association reiterated that the rights of all civilians affected by workplace tragedies must be protected.
MOSHA has appealed to the President’s Office, Parliament, the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM), the Labour Relations Authority, and other state bodies to initiate an impartial investigation and ensure accountability.
Responding to mounting public interest, the MNDF denied allegations that the landing craft's captain had been pressured by CIVEC to sail. In answers provided via its official Telegram channel, the MNDF confirmed that both Warrant Officer Haamid and the captain were in the wheelhouse at the time of the capsize. The missing Bangladeshi national was last known to be in the engine room.
The military further stated that, based on current findings, the vessel capsized suddenly and that the investigation is ongoing.
