Efforts are currently underway to ensure the minimization of environmental impacts of the oil barge that sank near Embudu lagoon after a fire broke out on Saturday, revealed Spokesperson at the President’s Office, Mohamed Mabrook Aziz.

Taking to Twitter on Saturday night, the President’s Office Spokesperson revealed that the office is closely monitoring the incident and coordinating with key stakeholders.

Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) and the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) are working closely to minimize environmental impact of the incident, Mabrook said.

The oil barge sank near Embudu lagoon after a fire broke out inside the vessel, en route to Laamu atoll from capital Malé City with 60,000 liters of diesel onboard.

MNDF received reports of the incident at around 5:50pm on Saturday.

Reports indicate that four individuals were onboard when the fire broke out, and they were rescued by a speedboat from Kani Hotel, Maafushi.

No oil leaks in the ocean have been confirmed by authorities in regards to the incident, yet.