MNDF and International Divers Recover Four Missing Tourists Following Joint Search

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and a specialized foreign recovery team have successfully located the bodies of four tourists who vanished during a diving excursion. The discovery followed a systematic joint operation combining the expertise of the MNDF Coast Guard, the Maldives Police Service, and a professional diving unit provided by the Italian government. Chief of Defence Force, Major General Ibrahim Hilmy, revealed the outcome during an appearance on the public broadcaster’s ‘Raajje Miadhu’ programme. He explained that the initial search efforts conducted by the MNDF were critical in expediting the subsequent recovery work carried out by the expert foreign team. Due to the dangerous and specialized nature of the underwater recovery, the operation was led by military divers rather than civilian recreational divers. Brigadier General Mohamed Saleem, Commandant of the Coast Guard, emphasized that such missions are regarded as vital national duties requiring strategic precision. “During these operations, our divers descend in accordance with specific strategic plans and stringent safety measures,” Brigadier General Saleem stated, stressing that the mission was executed without forcing personnel to take undue risks. Major General Hilmy echoed these sentiments, confirming that all divers operated under designated safety protocols and utilized specialized equipment provided by international partners. The gravity of the operation drew the attention of the presidency. President Dr Mohamed Muizzu visited the operational site to receive direct updates on the progress and identify any further assistance required. According to Major General Hilmy, the President's presence served to observe the ongoing efforts and boost the morale of the teams working on the front lines of the recovery mission.