Two people were found dead at sea after a 100-foot landing craft, Almark Fiya, capsized on Wednesday night while travelling from Malé to Eriyadhoo. The victims were identified as a 38-year-old Maldivian, Ahmed Shifan from Gaafu Alif Dhaandhoo, and an Indian expatriate. The Coast Guard rescued four passengers, while the search continues for a missing Sri Lankan crew member. President Muizzu extended his condolences and prayers to the families of the deceased and expressed hope that the missing person would be found alive. He also urged seafarers to exercise caution amid the rough weather conditions.
A cargo boat traveling from Malé to Lhaviyani Naifaru took on water and foundered three nautical miles outside Lhaviyani Aliga, after crossing the choppy Kaashidhoo channel on Thursday afternoon. Police said two Maldivians and three expatriates onboard were rescued from the Nasru by the Coast Guard, who warned vessels in the area to be wary of drifting cargo.
The Met office forecast strong winds, rough seas and heavy rain to continue until Monday as the southwest monsoon intensifies over the Maldives, and warned of possible swell surges during high tide.
Heavy rain in Haa Dhaal Nellaidhoo forced the island council to taxi children to school in a pickup as rain flooded roads and households on the northern island.
The criminal court began hearings in the second corruption trial of former Fenaka Corporation managing director Ahmed Saeed, who is accused of abusing his authority by approving the purchase of an ice plant in Laamu Maamendhoo from Kaizaan Investment at an inflated price of MVR 11.2 million (US$ 760,000), without consulting the tender evaluation committee.
Rubystar Airways delivered new military drones purchased from Turkish defence contractor Baykar, which previously supplied Bayraktar TB2 drones to the MNDF, Adhadhu reported. A flight from the Belarusian cargo airline blacklisted by the US was filmed departing from the Gan airport in Addu City. Sources identified the delivery as a Bayraktar Akıncı drone that was estimated to cost US$ 30 million.
Two prominent businessmen arrested over the theft of two containers with 1,360 cases of cigarettes, Mohamed Waheed 'Dhigali' and Ahmed Arif 'Aattey,' are accused of funding the elaborate heist, the media reported, citing their detention orders from the criminal court.
Former Attorney General Ibrahim Riffath was questioned by the Anti-Corruption Commission. His summons followed the questioning of the former economic minister and finance minister over alleged unfair compensation paid out by the previous administration under a settlement agreement with Swift Engineering, a private contractor owned by current ruling party lawmaker Saudhulla Hilmy.
Contrary to the housing minister's claim, the MDP government did not award flats to 976 applicants whose spouses had previously been recipients of social housing, former state minister Akram Kamalludin insisted at a press briefing by the MDP's housing committee. In such cases, an application submitted separately by the wife or husband would have been put on hold, he said.
Former president Nasheed criticised the government’s plans to build four new airports within speedboat distance in Shaviyani atoll, describing it as failed transport planning that will increase costs for airlines and lead to reduced flight frequency.
