A boiler in Felivaru Fisheries Complex has exploded due to pressure overload believed to be caused by corrosion. While no one was injured during the explosion, operations of the factory has been halted following the incident.
A boiler inside the fish factory that produces canned tuna and exports it overseas located in Lhaviyani atoll Felivaru has exploded and operations of the factory has been halted as a result.
The boiler that exploded was used for cooking the tuna cans after sealing them.
Speaking with Mihaaru News, General Manager of Technical & Projects at Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company (MIFCO) shared that the incident that occurred in Felivaru last night was transpired with one out of the three boilers in the factory exploding. He had assured no persons were injured in this incident.
Muaz declared that operations in Felivaru were downgraded with the 10 day holiday established by the State.
"It was downgraded to provide an ease to Maldivian employees. With this the case, a boiler used to cook cans after sealing the tuna had exploded," he explained.
He had highlighted that while the factory bore no damages, the area where the boiler was placed was notably ruined.
"This explosion occurred due to high pressure. The explosion didn't take place while any work was ongoing. This happened at seven in the night after [the factory] was closed," Muaz stated.
"It is believed that this was caused by corrosion. That [it occured] due to the water used in it becoming a little saltier. [The water] used is just desalination water. It exploded owing to rust forming on it as some traces of salt will be there in this as well."
He revealed that the two other boilers near the exploded boiler had been affected during the explosion.
"As per the protocol, a US and European standards is employed for maintaining the quality standards in Felivaru. There are protocols to be followed in cases of an incident. Like checking if any other resources nearby had sustained any damages," he added.
Muaz maintained that operations of the factory has been halted to investigate the explosion and assured that a team of engineers are presently inspecting the site. He revealed that the investigation conducted thus far had found that the two other boilers used in the factory's operations had not sustained any damages.
He further stated that Felivaru does not operate tuna canning work on Fridays however, shared that operations will resume within the next two to three days using an extra boiler stored in the premises.
Muaz stated that Police, together with the factory's engineering team, is investigating the causes of the explosion.
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