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Boat sinks killing two men

Fathmath Shaahunaz
27 April 2017, MVT 10:33
MNDF soliders unload the bodies of two men who drowned when a boat, enroute to Raa atoll from Male, sank after hitting a submerged rock. PHOTO: AHMED HAMDHOON/MIHAARU
Fathmath Shaahunaz
27 April 2017, MVT 10:33

A boat carrying cargo to Aarah island of Raa atoll sank in the early hours of Thursday, killing two people.

According to Police, the two casualties were Indian nationals.

The boat, carrying materials to Aarah which is being developed as a resort by Ali Investments Pvt Ltd, had left Kaafu atoll by Ziyaaraifushi island before being forced to turn back due to rough seas. The boat had stopped at Himmiyaa lagoon until calm seas resumed before attempting to leave the atoll again but the bow of the boat struck a submerged rock, damaging the hull.

The 80-foot vessel named “Princess” flooded, killing two men who were employed at Alia. There were seven staff of Alia and four crew members aboard at the time of the accident which occurred around 3:30 a.m. on April 27.

According to Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), the two men had been trapped inside the boat when it sank. According to some of the survivors, neither of the two drowned men knew to swim.

Mihaaru understands that aside from two people, the rest on board were all expatriates. One of the locals is the captain, whose arm was severely injured in the accident. He is currently being treated at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) in capital Male.

Others who were injured and bodies of the drowned men have also been brought to IGMH by the Coast Guard. The rest of the people appear to be relatively unhurt.

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