Authorities are now seeking foreign assistance to locate the three people who went missing after the supply boat Friend 4 sank about eight nautical miles east of GA. Kolamaafushi on Wednesday night.

The missing persons are MNDF Sergeant Ibrahim Ahmed, police Sergeant Ali Naafiu and the boat’s captain, Mohamed Hamdoon.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said efforts are under way to secure foreign assistance and technical support for the search and recovery operation. It said finding the missing people remains the top priority.

The MNDF said search teams have so far covered an area of 5,212 square nautical miles by air and 1,070.10 square nautical miles by sea, but the three missing people have not yet been located.

The sunken vessel belonged to Thaa Madifushi. Rescue teams initially evacuated the fishermen aboard the boat before it sank. Two police officers, an MNDF officer and the captain were reportedly working to pump water from the vessel when it suddenly capsized and sank.