A speedboat en-route to capital city Malé from Noonu atoll has sunk after running aground on a patch of reef.

“Comfort Express MH1” sank between the capital city and Gaafaru in the same atoll, close to 10am on Sunday.

Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) reported that the boat sank while being assisted by another vessel on Sunday morning.

MNDF Maritime Rescue Coordination Center had received report of the incident on Sunday night and the sea ambulance had been dispatched to the area immediately. A total of 38 people were on-board the vessel when it ran aground, out of which 11 were women and four children.

At the time of the incident, five people were on-board the boat, the remaining on-board had been transported back to the capital city a little past 2am on Sunday.

No injuries were reported in the incident.

MNDF Coast Guard has since begun work to refloat the vessel.