Temporary shelter provided to Somalis stranded in dinghy: police

Jun 23, 2024, 12:38 PM
Police shared a photo of the three men who were in good condition.

Police shared a photo of the three men who were in good condition.

The three Somali men in a dinghy that washed ashore Noonu Vavathi island have been given temporary shelter in nearby Noonu Holhudhoo island.

In a message sent to the media, police said the men had been taken to Holhudhoo and temporary shelter had been arranged with the assistance of the island council.

"Information suggests that the Somalis reached the island after being stranded at sea. They have been taken to Holhudhoo and temporary shelter has been arranged with the help of the council," police stated.

Police confirmed that the dinghy washed ashore Vavathi island on Saturday. The island is leased long-term for agricultural purposes.

Police shared a photo of the three men who were in good condition. They were travelling in a small dinghy with an outboard engine.

Somalia is about 3,000 kilometres west of Maldives and several Somalis have previously reached Maldivian shores in dinghies.

The waterways off Somalia include some of the world's busiest shipping lanes and have a long history of piracy.

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