A speedboat and a traditional boat (Dhoani) collided near Haa Alifu Atoll Ihavandhoo, resulting in at least one fatality on board the vessels.
A local from Ihavandhoo reported the victim was 68 years old Abdul Rasheed Mohamed, a local of the island. He passed away while being treated at the island's Health Center. The victim was one out of the two on board the Dhoani.
Reports also state that Rasheed had received grievous injuries to his head.
Maldives Police Service said that the accident took place near Huvahandhoo, an uninhabited island near Ihavandhoo. Three on board the vessels were brought to Ihavandhoo Health Center for medical attention.
The boat is a smaller mechanized vessel used for fishing excursions. The vessel had been traveling outside of Huvahandhoo when the speedboat collided and damaged the boat's rear hull where Rasheed was stationed to navigate it.
This was confirm by the president of Ihavandhoo Council Mohamed Areeb.
"When we reached the site of the accident, we saw Shareef lying near the front the boat, crying and said his father had drowned," Areeb said.
At the time of the collision, Rasheed was accompanied by his son, Ali Shareef. The two often ventured out to sea for billfish catching, which they would later sell upon returning to their home island.
It was reported that the two were on their way back to Ihavandhoo when the speedboat, a dinghy-sized vessel, collided with the fishing vessel.
Reports indicate that the force of the impact threw Rasheed offboard, leading to his tragic demise.
Following the accident, Ihavandhoo Council president along with a few others including the individual on board the other colliding vessel had reached the accident site and began looking for Rasheed. Areeb said that Rasheed was discovered near Ihavandhoo.
"When we visited the site, one of the crew members from the dinghy accompanied us to confirm the exact location of the accident. We even brought a high-visual light used by fishermen for catching sea cucumbers," Areeb added.
"We were looking along the accident site when we discovered Rasheed afloat. When we took him on board the vessel he was motionless and had severe injuries on his head with one of his lips badly torn."
Crew on board the dinghy said that at the time of the collision, the fishing vessel did not have any lights on to indicate its position.
"When we asked them, they [crew on board dinghy] said they did not know a vessel was passing in front of them. Based on what they said, we deduced they were not familiar with the area. They also said the fishing vessel had no light, but Rasheed apparently had his phone's flash light switched on at the time," Areeb said.
While the vessel belonged to Ihavandhoo, the dinghy involved in the collision, and the crew on board, were from Haa Dhaalu atoll Nellaidhoo.
Sign In
