Two have been injured in an explosion on a speedboat docked at Dhiggaru island in Meemu atoll.
Dhiggaru Council President Ahmed Nishan told RaajjeMV that the incident occurred at around 09:50am on Tuesday.
As such, witnesses are to have heard a loud explosion from the speedboat docked at the island harbor, after which the vessel caught fire.
Two men were onboard the speedboat at the time of the explosion.
According to Nishan, injured in the explosion were the speedboat’s captain and a crew member.
They dove into the water as soon as the speedboat caught fire. However, they are to have attained severe burn injuries on their legs. They were rescued with the help of employees of the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC).
The two injured men have since been moved to capital Malé City for further treatment. They are being treatment at ADK Hospital.
Nishan revealed that the speedboat had just got back from a fishing trip and the explosion occurred while they were preparing to set off for a second round.
He cited witnesses having revealed that the explosion occurred when they attempted to start up the engine for a second time, after their initial attempt failed.
The fire was quelled within 30 minutes، with the joint efforts of the police officers stationed on the island and the island residents.
The speedboat has since been moved to land, with the support of the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC).
Dhiggaru Council President Nishan went on to reveal that no major damages were inflicted on the vessel’s engine following the blast.
