Speaker Nasheed in serious condition, remains in ICU

After three surgeries due to injuries sustained in an explosion attack in Malé City on Thursday evening, Former President and Parliament Speaker remains unconscious in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Speaking to RaajjeMV, MP for Bilehdhoo constituency, Ahmed Haleem revealed that Nasheed is currently stable, however, his condition is serious.

Nasheed was initially treated for flesh wounds and doctors had performed a CT scan after attending a head injury following the blast outside the speaker’s residence in the capital city.

Doctors reveal that scan results indicate damages to the speaker’s lung, which provoked a second surgery in the early hours of Friday.

The third surgery was performed shortly after, to repair damage to the former president’s gut.

Doctors remain concerned over threats to the speaker’s health, as he has sustained injuries to the head and chest.

Several MPs, senior ranking officials of the government as well as members of the cabinet are visiting the speaker at ADK Hospital and the explosion attack has swept a wave of worry across the nation.

The attack has drawn global attention, with several diplomats condemning the blast in strict terms.

As such, the Ambassador of Germany to the Maldives, Holger Seubert described the explosion attack as "cowardly", and said that such attacks will "never" shake the stable democracy of Maldives. The Ambassador revealed this in a Twitter post, adding that Germany condemns the attack in the strongest possible terms. He wished for a swift and full recovery for the former president and extended well wishes for his family and the Maldivian people.

In a statement late Thursday, the Trade Union also strongly condemned the attack, describing it as cowardly. The Trade Union stated that to orchestrate such an attack in the middle of the pandemic can be taken as a threat to national security, and those tasked with protecting it in the Maldives, going on to urge thorough investigations into the case.

Further, the United Nations also expressed solidarity with Maldives in efforts to create safer communities, and wished the speaker and all injured in the attack, a speedy recovery.

Following the blast which took place a little past 8:30pm on Thursday, Maldives Police Service (MPS) had  risen the Police alert level to Level 3 as officers deployed in the capital run investigations. The police institution will be hosting a presser at 2pm on Friday in connection to the blast.