Friday 13 Mar 2026
Man reported missing from R.Vaadhoo on March 12, 2026. (Photo/Maldives Police Service)
The Maldives Police Service is currently coordinating a search and rescue operation for Mohamed Iqbal, a resident of R. Vaadhoo, who was reported missing on Thursday evening. Iqbal had departed for a solo fishing trip earlier that morning in a small dinghy. Concern has been heightened by the fact that he was traveling without a mobile communication device. Local authorities are collaborating with relevant agencies to locate him, and the public has been requested to provide any pertinent information to the R. Alifushi Police Station. This incident underscores recurring warnings from safety officials regarding the high risks associated with solo fishing excursions.
A man from R. Vaadhoo who went fishing alone early Thursday morning has been reported missing, according to Maldives Police Service.
Police said the report was filed at 20:48 on Thursday evening. The missing man is Mohamed Iqbal, of Windster, R. Vaadhoo.
Iqbal left for sea in a small dinghy and was alone at the time. Police said he did not carry a mobile phone when he departed.
Authorities are now working with relevant agencies to locate him.
ރ. ވާދޫން ކަނޑުމައްޗަށް ނިކުމެ އުޅުނު މީހަކު ގެއްލިފައިވާ ކަމުގެ ރިޕޯޓް 2026 މާރިޗު 12 ވަނަ ދުވަހުގެ ރޭ 20:48 ހާއިރު ފުލުހުންނަށް ރިޕޯޓްކޮށްފައިވެއެވެ.
— Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) March 12, 2026
ގެއްލިގެން ހޯދަމުންދަނީ ރ. ވާދޫ، ވިންޑްސްޓަރ، މުޙައްމަދު އިޤްބާލް އެވެ. އޭނާ ކަނޑުމައްޗަށް ނިކުމެފައިވަނީ 2026 މާރިޗު 12 ވަނަ… pic.twitter.com/C3VMcUA8Ug
Anyone with information about Mohamed Iqbal is urged to contact the R. Alifushi Police Station at 9992245.
Police and MNDF routinely advise against going fishing alone, though the practice remains common in the atolls. Several similar incidents in the past have resulted in people going missing or losing their lives.
