Aagalaa boat fire: 332 square miles covered in search for missing sailor

Authorities have yet to find the sailor who went missing after the fire on board Aagala boat Monday, state Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF).

The fire on the boat – which transported cargo between Male’ City and several southern islands – was reported to MNDF at 02:37 am Monday. The fire reportedly originated from the engine room.

The 15 people on the boat, including five passengers, had jumped overboard. 14 people were rescued, while one sailor, an Indian national, remains missing.

In a press statement, MNDF said that a 332.35 square mile area had been searched via air and sea on Monday.

MNDF said they continue to search for the missing sailor.

The 14 people rescued from the sea were transported to the M. Mulee Hospital. Authorities have not disclosed any information regarding their condition.