A barge carrying construction aggregate to the island of Inguraidhoo in Raa atoll ran aground the reef late Wednesday.

According to Inguraidhoo Island Council’s Vice President Abdulla Abdul Raheem, the barge ran aground the reef to the north of the island. Work to float the barge began early Thursday but has been temporarily put on hold due to low tide.

He estimated that the barge was carrying around 3,000 tons of aggregate for the development of the island’s harbour.

The project to develop Inguraidhoo port was awarded to Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), but it has been over a year since the work was put on hiatus.