MTCC: Employee injured in explosion due to lack of safety precautions

Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC) says the extensive burn injuries sustained by one of its employees in the explosion onboard one of its speedboats on Monday, May 20, was the result of lack of proper safety precautions.

CEO of MTCC Hassan Shah says reports of an explosion onboard the speedboat was erroneous, as nothing actually “exploded”.

Shah explained the incident in great detail.

He said that the employee who sustained the extensive burn injuries had been at the bottom of the speed boat when the incident took place and was not wearing the required overalls.

“The battery was not disconnected when he changed the switch. This led to a spark in the petrol tank. The pressure and fumes in the area led to a small explosion. Not a real explosion. The vapor from the explosion hit his face,” said Shah.

Shah said that the company has safety manuals and complies with the ISO standards.

The employee in question, identified as a 39-year-old male, sustained extensive burn injuries to 30 percent of his body, and is currently hospitalized at the ADK Hospital.

Shah also said MTCC is assisting the employee by covering the cost of transporting him abroad for treatment as well as some other additional costs.