MNDF rescues 10 people after boat runs aground near Fenfushi

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has rescued 10 people from a boat that ran aground on a reef north of the uninhabited island of GA. Fenfushi.

The vessel, named Deraha, was travelling from Malé to GDh. Thinadhoo when it ran aground.

The MNDF received a report of the incident at approximately 12.40am.

According to the MNDF, personnel from the Coast Guard Fourth Squadron under the Southern Area Command responded to the incident and assisted all 10 people on board.

When the rescue team arrived, seven people were still aboard the grounded vessel, while three others had used a dinghy to reach a nearby sandbank.

The MNDF said the vessel was carrying four Maldivians and six foreign nationals.

The seven people remaining on the boat were transferred to a Coast Guard harbour craft at approximately 1.53am.

The three people who had reached the sandbank were also brought aboard the harbour craft at approximately 2.10am.

At around 4.22am, all 10 people were transferred to a dhoni arranged by the vessel's owner to take them to safety.

The MNDF said it was coordinating with the owner and providing assistance with efforts to refloat the grounded vessel.