The barge which ran aground a reef near Fuvahmulah on Friday departed before the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) could launch an investigation.
EPA Director General Ibrahim Naeem told Adhadhu that the barge gave false information before departure.
The case will be reported to police, he added.
"Initially, the owner of the barge said it did not run aground. The barge departed before the matter could be investigated. EPA has now decided to report the matter to the police," Naeem said.
Fuvahmulah city council's media official earlier said that the barge which ran aground was loaded with aggregate for the shore protection project.
MT Hojgaard, a Denmark company, was contracted for the coastal protection project of Fuvahmulah city.
The company declined to comment.
