Man seriously injured in boat collision off Fuvahmulah

A man sustained serious injuries after a speedboat collided with a fishing dinghy off Fuvahmulah, with the injured man subsequently evacuated to Malé for medical treatment.

The injured man has been identified as Mohamed Rafeeq, the elder brother of Fuvahmulah Mayor Ismail Rafeeq.

The collision occurred while the dinghy was being used for a fishing trip targeting reef fish.

Rafeeq sustained injuries to his head and jaw in the accident. He was transported to Malé on an emergency medical evacuation on Monday night for further treatment.

According to residents who spoke about the incident, a speedboat travelling at high speed struck the side of the dinghy.

The impact caused extensive damage to one side of the smaller vessel.

Although several people were aboard the dinghy at the time, Rafeeq was the only person reported injured.

Residents said the collision occurred because those operating the speedboat had failed to notice a light displayed on the dinghy.

The circumstances surrounding the collision have not been independently established.