1342 sqm searched for missing person from Aagala boat
While 14 people were rescued during the search operation, one Indian passenger is now missing.
By
Aishath Fareeha Abdulla
A total of 1,342 square metres has been searched to date to locate the Indian national who went missing in the fire on board 'Aagala', a cargo ship travelling between Addu and Male.
The Aagala boat caught fire in the early hours of Monday. The vessel was on its way to Male from Addu with a large quantity of cargo when it caught fire near M. Thuvaru and sank due to damage.
There were 15 people on board at the time of the incident:
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Five Maldivians
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Five Indians
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Five Bangladeshi nationals
All of them jumped to save themselves from the fire on board. While 14 people were rescued during the search operation, one Indian passenger is now missing.
MNDF said on Wednesday:
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Till Tuesday, 1,342 square metres were searched by air and sea to locate the missing person
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The search continues on Wednesday as well
The Aagala boat makes 3-4 trips between Addu and Male every month. Some traders describe the sinking of the boat, which is dependent on sending goods to Male and transporting goods to Addu, as a major blow to the southern economy.
