MNDF: Speedboat incident investigated as serious matter

Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has said that the incident on the speedboat carrying President Abdulla Yameen and First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim on Monday, is being investigated as a serious matter.

This came in a two-paragraph statement issued by the defence force on Monday night.

“A dangerous incident took place on the speedboat Finifenma carrying President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and his wife to Malé on the morning of Monday, 28 September 2015, as it approached Izzuddin Jetty. This is being investigated as a very serious matter.

“The investigation is led by investigation teams of Maldives National Defence Force and Maldives Police Service, with advice from foreign experts.”

President Yameen was scheduled to address the media upon arrival in Malé after the hajj pilgrimage on Monday. As the speedboat approached the jetty, however, there was an explosion on board which left three people injured.

The President was unharmed. First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim suffered four spine fractures, and has been advised by doctors to take bed rest for three weeks.

In addition to the president's wife, his bodyguard and a staff of the President’s Office suffered burns in the incident.