A detainee of the Maldives Correctional Services (MCS) has dived off the harbour at the southern coast of capital city Malé, in an attempt to escape incarceration.

The detainee was being escorted into a police vehicle when he managed to pace away from the reach of officers and make his way to the harbour, where lighthouses are set up and vessels dock as well.

Officers of the special operations unit were active in the search for the detainee on Thursday night, and their forensics team were seen active near the harbour as well.

The Maldives Police Service has declined to answer any questions on the matter and therefore did not clarify any information on the detainee.

Escaping arrest is a crime in itself, according to Maldives' recent penal code and judges are known to rule harshly against detainees that have been charged in this manner.