16-year-old killed in motorcycle crash near Sinamalé Bridge
Maldives Police Service said the crash occurred at 1:39 am when a motorcycle lost control and struck the pavement near the traffic lights at the bridge.
A 16-year-old boy died after a motorcycle crashed into the pavement near the Sinamalé Bridge early on Wednesday, police said. The incident was one of two serious traffic accidents reported in Malé within 24 hours.
Maldives Police Service said the crash occurred at 1:39 am when a motorcycle lost control and struck the pavement near the traffic lights at the bridge.
Police said the motorcycle was being driven by a 19-year-old male who did not hold a licence for that category of vehicle. A 16-year-old boy was riding as a passenger. The passenger died while receiving treatment at hospital.
The deceased was identified as Mohammd Nihan Nazim, of Hiyaleegulshan/B. Dharavandhoo, according to funeral notices. His funeral is scheduled to be held at Aasahara Mosque after Asr prayers on Wednesday.
The fatal crash followed another accident reported late on Tuesday night near Billabong School. Police said the incident occurred at 11:35 pm and involved a collision between two motorcycles, leaving two people injured.
A witness told Atoll Times that one of the injured persons was taken to hospital in a pickup truck due to a delay, while the other was transported by ambulance on a stretcher. Further details about the incident have not been released.
Police statistics released on Tuesday show an increase in traffic accidents in the city since the start of Ramadan. A total of 41 accidents were reported in Malé, the Sinamalé Bridge area and the highway from Sunday to Saturday last week. Of these, 21 occurred in the first four days of Ramadan.
Saturday recorded the highest number of accidents, with 11 incidents reported on that day. Police said 36 accidents occurred within the city and five on the highway. Most of the reported accidents involved motorcycles and cars.
