Italy jets to reach Maldives until Friday, no weapons onboard: Foreign Ministry

Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday said that Italian military jets will be landing at Velana International Airport (VIA) for refueling until Friday.

The ministry added these jets will not carry any weapons onboard them.

Four Italian military jets landed at VIA on Tuesday afternoon, while around 15:15hrs Male' City residents had heard a loud noise traveling fast above the city - which was later confirmed to be the jets.

The military jets were videographed by several locals who witnessed them flying past.

These jets made a "technical stop" at VIA after acquiring proper permissions and diplomatic clearances, the ministry said.

Foreign Ministry said these jets are returning back to Italy after completing military training, and were transitting in the Maldives for refueling before resuming flight back home.

Generally, in such transits, planes and jets stop to refuel or to facilitate relaxation for its crew before continuing their flight back to intended destinations.

Military jets from various other countries had stopped at VIA for refueling purposes previously as well.