The crew rescued from the cargo boat which capsized while en route to Vaavu Atoll from Male’ City earlier this morning has been transported to Male’ City by the coastguard.

The cargo boat ‘Sawaaree’ was reported missing to the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center on Thursday morning, after it departed from Male’ City to V. Atoll.

MNDF said all six people traveling on the boat had been rescued by the Coast Guard on Thursday afternoon. They were spotted by an MNDF Dornier aircraft during an aerial search – 26 nautical miles east of V. Fulidhoo.

The six of them were taken on board the Coast Guard Ship Ghaazee at around 13:00pm.

MNDF said they have since been safely transported to Hulhumale’ while they are all in good health.

Coastgaurd’s Commandant Brigadier General Ibrahim Hilmy met with the crew as they docked at Coastguard vessel docking area in Hulhumale’ at approximately 16:00pm this evening and inquired about their health.

Maldives Metrological Service has urged seafarers to exercise caution during travel as Maldives battle rainy weather from the southwest monsoon. They have forecasted heavy rain with thunder and rough seas for most regions with winds expected to gust up to 45 mph.