Speedboat sinks after fire in Himandhoo

A speedboat operating in Alif Alif Atoll has sunk following a fire incident early Friday morning.

The vessel, Kael Wing, was a ferry service used for transportation between AA. Feridhoo, Maalhos, and Himandhoo. The fire occurred while the speedboat was in the Himandhoo lagoon.

Himandhoo Council President Husham Ali said the fire broke out around 6 a.m. He confirmed the vessel was carrying three people at the time — the captain, a crew member, and a child.

While minor injuries were reported, all three individuals were treated at the Himandhoo Health Centre and have since been discharged.

According to Husham, the fire was caused by a broken petrol pipe, which resulted in petrol leaking from inside the vessel. He noted that the speedboat did not explode and the passengers were not seriously harmed.

The vessel has since submerged in the lagoon.

This follows another maritime incident earlier in the week, when a cargo vessel sank near Th. Kandoodhoo. One crew member, 25-year-old Ali Mushfiq from L. Maavah, remains missing.

The MNDF has been conducting an extensive search operation, covering:

Search efforts for the missing crew member are ongoing.