Authorities are continuing the search for a missing person after a devastating fire engulfed a boat traveling from Laamu Atoll to Malé.

The vessel, identified as Holhudhoo Boat, caught on fire at approximately 9:07 p.m. last night before sinking entirely by 2:07 a.m., according to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF).

Eighteen people, including the captain, were on board at the time of the incident. Seventeen individuals were successfully rescued, while 25-year-old Ali Mushfiq Mohamed, remains unaccounted for. The MNDF has deployed three Coast Guard ships, divers, and air corps drones in a coordinated effort to locate him.

The cause of the fire is yet to be confirmed, but Laamu Maavah Council President, Ahmed Moosa, suggested an electrical short circuit may have been responsible. He added that all survivors are currently safe in Maavah, with no reports of injuries.

Speaking to MMTV, Moosa described Mushfiq as a well-respected member of the community, known for leading prayers at the local mosque during Ramadan.

Authorities have urged commuters to remain cautious, as debris from the submerged vessel continues to drift in surrounding waters.