Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) Coast Guard has confirmed that there are no dangers in the area where a burning oil barge sank on Saturday.

Speaking to press regarding the matter on Sunday, officers of the MNDF CG and Environment Protection Agency (EPA) revealed that there were no oil leaks in the ocean where the oil barge that sank near Embudu lagoon after a fire broke out on Saturday.

CG Commandant Colonel Mohamed Saleem revealed that they are monitoring the region and that they had collaborated with a team from EPA in searching the region for any possible oil leaks.

As such, the team found that there was a trace of oil leak in the region due to the fire incident onboard the oil barge, however, the spill has since cleared.

The sunked oil barge is currently 1,000 meters underwater and authorities remain undecided on whether or not to resurface the boat.

During the press, it was also revealed that there are no threats to the enrionment from the sunken oil barge. The diesel on boat is expected to evaporate once reaching the surface of the ocean.

However, authorities remain alert and ready to take immediate action if required.

Earlier, Spokesperson at the President’s Office, Mohamed Mabrook Aziz also revealed that efforts are underway to ensure the minimization of environmental impacts of the incident.

The President’s Office confirmed that it is closely monitoring the incident and coordinating with key stakeholders.

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.