The crew member injured in the accident that occurred this afternoon when a TMA seaplane's pontoon broke is being treated on a ventilator at Tree Top Hospital, according to sources related to him.
It is learned that when the youth was taken to the hospital, treatment was initially started in the ICU due to the seriousness of his condition.
"His condition has improved somewhat since he was admitted to hospital, but there has been no significant improvement. He remains in the ICU," a source familiar with the matter told Mihaaru News.
A senior MACL official told Mihaaru News that the incident occurred at around 2:25pm today as the seaplane approached the platform at Velana International Airport's seaplane terminal. The injury was sustained by a crew member who was active on the pontoon at that time.
It is learned that it took some time to retrieve the young man after he fell into the sea from the pontoon.
"When brought to the hospital, there was barely a pulse," a source familiar with the matter said.
TMA told the media that passengers and crew present on the seaplane at the time of the incident were rescued. It also stated that the cause of the incident is being investigated and details will be publicized.
However, the information shared by TMA with the media did not state that anyone was injured in the incident.
In a statement, MACL said Airport Emergency Services responded immediately to the incident and that all necessary assistance was being provided.
"All safety measures that need to be taken regarding the incident have been taken," the MACL statement read.
Police Spokesperson Ahmed Shiyam told "Mihaaru News" that the report of the incident has been received by the police and that how it happened is being looked into.
Photos and videos shared on social media appear to show water entering the TMA seaplane after a pontoon broke, causing the aircraft to tilt.
MACL stated that following the tilting of the TMA seaplane, services provided from the water aerodrome are still proceeding continuously as usual.
