Azum boat found after 2 weeks

The boat named Azum that went missing off the coast of Meemu atoll two weeks ago has been found.

Sun has come to know that the two crewmen onboard the boat were picked up by a Singapore vessel and that both the men are in good condition. They have both contacted their families and will reach Singapore in about four days' time.

The 40 foot fishing boat went missing along with two crewmen after it departed from Meemu Mulak on the morning of 4th May, en route to Laamu Maavah.

The two people travelling on the boat have been identified as Abdulla Waheed of Hiyaleege, Laamu Maavashu, and a person named Hassan Rasheed of Handhuvarudheyge, Alif Dhaalu Maamigili.

Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Media Official Abdul Raheem said today that the boat “Azum” was spotted about 100 miles away from Maldives, about 300 miles off the coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. He said that the two men onboard the boat was picked up by a oil tanker en route to China.

“One of the persons was a bit weak when they were taken onboard the oil tanker, but both of them are alright now. We are communicating with the boat. Coast Guard has spoken to Hassan Rasheed, one of the men who were onboard Azum boat. The boat said that they were travelling towards a harbour in China. But they said that they might dock at a Singapore harbour before that,” Abdul Raheem said.

The oil tanker is registered in the Marshall Islands.