A tragic incident unfolded in the waters of Kaashidhoo on Today (Tuesday) morning after a civilian landing craft, operated by SIWEC, capsized around 10:30 a.m. Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has confirmed the death of Warrant Officer Class 2 Ali Hameed, a 27-year veteran of the Dhivehi armed forces, who was onboard the vessel when it overturned.
According to MNDF, the landing craft was located following coordinated aerial and sea-based search operations. Rescue teams managed to retrieve several passengers from the wreckage, but two individuals were initially reported missing. Warrant Officer Ali Hameed was later found and immediately transferred to Naifaru Hospital in Lhaviyani Atoll. Hospital staff, however, declared him dead on arrival.
MNDF has confirmed that the search is still ongoing for the other missing person, identified as a foreign national. Divers and support teams from the Coast Guard and Northern Area Command continue operations in the Kaashidhoo Channel.
The vessel had at least six individuals onboard—two MNDF officers, one Maldivian civilian, and three foreign nationals. Five people, including three Maldivians and two foreigners, have been rescued and are receiving treatment at Lhaviyani Atoll Hospital.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu expressed his grief over the passing of Warrant Officer Ali Hameed in a message posted on X. He described the incident as a profound loss to the nation and the military community.
“Ali Hameed had served the MNDF for 27 years and died while fulfilling his duties in service to the nation,” President Muizzu said. “In this moment of grief, I join the family and the institution in sorrow, and pray for the deceased’s soul to be blessed with mercy and for the family to be granted patience.”
إِنَّا ِلِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
މިއަދު ހިނގި ކަނޑުމަތީގެ ހިތާމަވެރި ހާދިސާގައި ނިޔާވި، ދިވެހިރާއްޖޭގެ ޤައުމީ ދިފާޢީ ބާރުގެ ވޮރަންޓް އޮފިސަރ 2 ޢަލީ ޙާމިދު، މި ދުނިޔެއާއި ވަކިވެގެންދިއުމަކީ އަޅުގަނޑަށް ވަރަށް ފުން ހިތާމައެއް ކުރުވި ކަމެކެވެ. ވޮރަންޓް އޮފިސަރ 2 ޢަލީ… pic.twitter.com/eU0Eyxv0Aa— Dr Mohamed Muizzu (@MMuizzu) June 25, 2025
Ali Hameed was known among his peers as a disciplined and deeply committed officer. His death marks a solemn moment for the MNDF and the country, underscoring the risks Maldivian service members face not just in combat, but in day-to-day duties across the archipelago.
إِنَّا ِلِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
ވޮރަންޓް އޮފިސަރ 2 ޢަލީ ޙާމިދު، މި ދުނިޔެއާއި ވަކިވެގެންދިއުމަކީ އަޅުގަނޑުމެން ސިފައިންނަށް ލިބުނު ފުން ހިތާމައެކެވެ. މާތް ﷲ މަރުޙޫމުގެ ފުރާނައަށް ސުވަރުގޭގެ ދާއިމީ ނިޢުމަތް މިންވަރުކުރައްވައި، ޢާއިލާއަށް ކެތްތެރިކަން ދެއްވާށި! pic.twitter.com/mvi7GPGZzu— Chief of Defence Force (@CDFofMNDF) June 25, 2025
As the nation mourns the loss of a devoted soldier, hope remains that the missing foreign national can be safely recovered. MNDF continues to urge the public to await official updates and avoid speculation while operations are ongoing.
