Overview
- The Maldives National Defence Force, which began rescue operations early Friday, has widened air, sea and dive searches for the two missing Indians and is flying drones deep into the Vaavu Atoll area.
- Authorities expanded the search on Tuesday night with drone sweeps and, by Wednesday, Indian support arrived with a Dornier surveillance plane and an advanced light helicopter to aid Maldivian crews.
- The speedboat linked to Gautam Singhania capsized about two nautical miles southwest of Keyodhoo with seven aboard, five were rescued, and the missing are veteran rally driver Hari Singh and yacht captain Commander Mahesh Ramachandran.
- Maldivian police have impounded the high‑performance Cigarette‑type boat as investigators probe speed, mechanical condition and who was at the controls, with local officials noting foreigners are not permitted to operate such recreational vessels without authorised oversight.
- Singhania is back in Mumbai recovering; his spokesperson cites a serious mechanical failure and rejects social‑media claims, while reports that he drove or was under the influence remain unverified by Maldivian authorities.