The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has concluded an extensive search operation for three individuals missing since the supply boat “Friend 4” capsized and sank in the Huvadhu Sea on the night of August 5, 2026. The vessel went down approximately 4.1 nautical miles northeast of GA. Kudalafari.

The search operation utilized both maritime and aerial assets, covering the entire Huvadhu Sea and the reefs surrounding Laamu Atoll and northern Gaafu Alif Atoll. To bolster search efforts, the MNDF deployed TB2 drones equipped with infrared sensors capable of night surveillance, alongside Maldivian aircraft. Additionally, the Coast Guard Ship Imaduddin, a vessel donated by Australia featuring advanced technology, was utilized for the sea-based search.

International cooperation played a vital role in the operation following a request from the Maldivian government. The United States Navy deployed a P8 Poseidon aircraft, a specialized maritime surveillance plane, which searched a 6,300 square nautical mile area in a single day. Despite these combined efforts, which covered a total of 17,220 square nautical miles by air and over 2,700 square nautical miles by sea over 11 days, no sign of the missing individuals has been found.

Authorities have indicated that the probability of recovery is low, as the vessel sank in a region where depths exceed 1,600 meters—a depth beyond the reach of human divers and conventional military submarines. While several individuals were rescued immediately after the incident by nearby police and MNDF launches, the three remaining persons remain unaccounted for.