Rescue officers on Tuesday began work to free an oil tanker that collided into a reef near Felivaru island of Lhaviyani Atoll.

The incident was reported to the Maldives National Defence Force at around 06:15 am on Monday.

The ‘Guraabu’ tanker carrying petroleum was travelling from Milandhoo island of Shaviyani Atoll to capital city Malé.

This is the second such incident that rescue officers have had to tackle this week. A speed boat collided into a reef near Himmafushi island of Kaafu Atoll.

The boat had been carrying nine passengers, two of whom were women.