Boat carrying 500 cases of water runs aground near Kulhudhuffushi

A vessel transporting cases of water from H.Dh.Kulhudhuffushi ran aground on the reef just off the island on Sunday. 

The incident occurred at 15.30hrs when the engine failed, causing the boat to drift, Kulhudhuffushi Council Member Ibrahim Ahmed told Sun.

The boat grounded on the west side of the Bodu Mohamed Kaleyfaanu harbor, and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) is assisting with salvage operations, he said. 

Ibrahim explained that the vessel originated from an island in Haa Alifu Atoll and was carrying approximately 500 cases of water. There were no passengers on board at the time, though it is believed four crew members were present, he added.

"I was informed that the boat had been experiencing engine issues, which is why it docked at Kulhudhuffushi today. It was loaded with about 500 cases of water earlier today, and we can still see them from here," Ibrahim said.

He noted that a tugboat from the Kulhudhuffushi port worked for an hour to refloat the vessel. 

However, the effort was unsuccessful, and salvage operations are still underway, he confirmed.