A cargo vessel traveling from the capital Malé City to Faresmaathodaa island of Gaaf Dhaal atoll with 12 people on board has run aground and partially sunk near Vaavu Felidhoo reef, while the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) remains silent nearly a day after the incident.

The Maldives Police Service (MPS) confirmed that the vessel, ‘Fahiroalhi’, ran aground around 5:01am on November 7. All 12 people on board have since been transported safely to Felidhoo, with no injuries reported. The passengers included one Maldivian and five foreigners, while the remaining six comprised the captain, vessel owner and four foreign crew members.

According to the police institution, the grounding caused the vessel’s hull to rupture, resulting in flooding and significant submersion. The extent of the damage and whether the cargo can be salvaged remain unclear.

While police continue to investigate, the MNDF has not released any official statement or update. The force, which routinely communicates details of maritime incidents to the public, has remained notably silent more than 24 hours after the event.

The lack of information from MNDF has drawn attention, given the incident’s potential environmental and navigational implications, and the expectation that the military’s coast guard division would lead the response and recovery efforts.