Uniformed policeman’s rescue of drowning tourist garners praise

A Russian tourist in K. Guraidhoo was rescued by a policeman and locals on Thursday, after he got caught in a current snorkeling in the island’s lagoon.

The 40-year-old Russian had been vacationing in Guraidhoo with his wife and their child.

He had been with his family when he went snorkeling in the lagoon in the north of Guraidhoo, towards the COMO Cocoa Island, in the morning.

Guraidhoo Council’s president Hussain Yameen Mohamed said only the man go caught in the current.

His wife immediately called out for help, and two young men and a uniformed police officer went into the water and rescued the man, said Yameen.

“He was immediately taken to the health center. He was exhausted. There were no other medical complications. He has been discharged,” he said.

Photos of the rescue show Ahmed Aman Abdulla, the policeman involved in the rescue, had jumped into the water in full uniform.

The photos, shared by Guraidhoo Council on its official Facebook page, has gone viral, garnering praise for the three rescuers.

Guraidhoo Council states that the northern beach area, the designated tourist beach, has a strong current.

The council said it planned on setting up more signs warning of the danger and posting lifeguards in the area.

Guraidhoo has a bustling local tourism business, with 23 guesthouses.