A cargo vessel travelling near Filitheyo island in Faafu atoll has been razed, resulting in the death of one individual on board.
The incident was reported at 4:45am on Monday, and the fire was controlled within hours.
The Maldives National Defence Force says conditions on the vessel did not present a direct fatal risk to those on board, and that they believe the individual died from ‘shock’.
There were 16 people on board at the time of the incident.