Intoxicated man arrested for hijacking car, causing Fuvahmulah accidents

Police have arrested a 35-year-old man suspected of driving under the influence of intoxicants after allegedly taking a car by force and causing a series of collisions in Fuvahmulah.

The Maldives Police Service said the incident was reported at about 6.22pm on Saturday after a car travelling near Moodige in Fuvahmulah collided with a motorcycle carrying a woman and an eight-year-old girl.

Police said the car did not stop after hitting the motorcycle and continued along the road before colliding with another car and then hitting a palm tree.

The woman who was riding the motorcycle and the eight-year-old passenger sustained injuries and were taken to Fuvahmulah Hospital for treatment.

According to police, the hospital confirmed that neither sustained life-threatening or serious injuries.

A 35-year-old Maldivian man who was driving the car was taken into police custody following the incident.

Police said their preliminary investigation indicates that the man may have been under the influence of drugs or other intoxicants while driving.

Investigators also allege that before the collisions, the suspect assaulted the owner of the car, threatened to damage the vehicle and took possession of it by force.

The two cars and the motorcycle involved in the incident sustained damage.

Police said further investigation into the incident is underway.