Aalaa boat sinking: A huge loss to Maduvvari residents

The sinking of the boat ‘Aalaa’ has caused huge losses to the residents and businesses of R. Madduvari.

The boat, traveling from Male’ City to Raa Atoll, sank off B. Eydhafushi early Thursday morning while carrying 15 aboard.  

‘Aalaa’ sent out a distress call to the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) at around 05:22 am Thursday, after it began taking in water.

The boat was 2.5 nautical miles off Eydhafushi at the time.

MNDF Northern Area Command Coastguard deployed a sea ambulance and harbor craft to assist the boat.

All 15 people were rescued by the coastguard. They included expatriates and residents from Raa Atoll.

Although no crew members and the passengers sustained injuries – none of the goods the boat was carrying at the time could be salvaged.

MNDF has cautioned travelers as some of the goods from the boat began drifting northeast.

Speaking to Sun, a businessperson from Maduvvari detailed that the boat was carrying goods belonging to several businesspersons from the island.

“Goods worth MVR 86,000 that belonged to me also sank alongside the boat. Goods worth over MVR 200,000 belonging to other businesspersons have also sunk alongside the boat. This a greater loss than anticipated,” the businessperson said.

Madduvari Council President Mohamed Sadiq described the sinking of the boat as a huge loss to the island’s residents.

“Staples from one agent has been completely exhausted. We are meticulously managing the staples from the remaining agent. We have contacted STO over this issue,” he said.