Two boats run aground amid torrential rain in Maldives

 Multiple marine incidents have been reported as torrential rain batters a large part of Maldives this Wednesday, including two boats which ran aground in K. Atoll. 

Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) said both incidents took place when strong winds and rough seas caused the boat’s anchor to drag. 

The first incident involved the fuel barge ‘Transport Fuel-09', which ran aground on the reef off Vilimale’ at approximately 09:35 am. 

There were three crew members on board at the time; two Bangladeshi nationals and a Sri Lankan national. 

MNDF said that the fuel barge has been refloated with the assistance of anther vessel. 

The second incident involved the tugboat ‘Marina-1301’, which ran aground on the reef off Feydhoo Finolhu at approximately 09:52 am. 

The boat was travelling with nine crew members, identified as Indonesian nationals. 

No injuries have been reported.