A search operation has been launched for a missing crew member of the vessel Seamax, which was travelling from Addu City to Malé.

According to police, the missing crew member, identified as Raj Kumar, a Nepalese national, was last reported on board the vessel around 2330hrs last night while it was between Addu City and Fuvahmulah City, approximately eight miles from Fuvahmulah.

Police stated that Raj Kumar was confirmed to have spoken with the boat's captain at 0105hrs. However, he was no longer on board the vessel later.

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has joined the efforts to locate Raj Kumar, and the police are actively investigating the circumstances of his disappearance.