A boat from Shaviyani atoll Kanditheemu, which carries goods between different islands in the atoll, has sunk today.
A boat from Shaviyani atoll Kanditheemu which carries goods between different islands in the atoll has sunk today.
The boat, 'Ulhiashi', built in 2007, has carried goods to Kanditheemu, Bilehfahi, Noomaraa, Goidhoo and Feydhoo.
Kanditheemu Council President Ahmed Ahsan said that the boat had sunk this morning after it collided with the breakwater at the channel while entering into the Bilehfahi lagoon to offload goods.
With the boat taking on water rapidly, the crew managed to steer it close to the island's harbour. However, by that point, a large part of the boat was already underwater.
"Yesterday the boat came from Male' with goods, taking fruits and vegetables to all the islands. This morning, the boat went to offload the goods and sank while sailing into Bilehfahi lagoon," he said.
A large amount of goods still remained on the boat when it sank. Bilehfahi residents assisted in offloading as much of the goods as was in reach.
Ahsan said that these included goods belonging to private citizens, as well as businesses.
"Now it has sunk completely. We were able to offload the goods at the top, the ones stored under were lost. I don't think they can be used anymore," he said.
He said that efforts are ongoing to retrieve the boat.
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