No sign of Dhangethi Yoosufbe, a week into disappearance

The search for Yoosuf Ibrahim, an elderly man from ADh. Dhangethi, who went missing after venturing out fishing on a small engine boat, has produced zero results, as the small island community marks a grim one week into his disappearance.

Affectionately known as Yoosufbe, Yoosuf is described by Dhangethi people as the island’s greatest reef fisherman.

Locals report he had been involved in reef fishing for years.

The island was alerted to his disappearance after the boat he went fishing in was found empty, in the waters off the island.

He was reported missing to the MNDF at 11:42 pm on October 14.

The MNDF said they have searched 664 square nautical miles using surface vessels, 907 square nautical miles by Dornier Aircraft, and 376,850 square meters by Coast Guard divers.

“We have found no sign of Yoosufbe yet. But we haven’t stopped the operation, it remains ongoing,” said a spokesperson from the MNDF.

MNDF said the search operation is receiving huge support from locals and neighboring resorts.

Dhangethi residents had scaled back their own efforts to search for Yoosufbe, three days back.