Two vessels that drifted and collided with a pillar of the Sinamalé Bridge on Thursday night after their anchors dragged have taken on water and sunk, the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has confirmed.
In a message to the media, the MNDF stated that the two vessels sank approximately 30 nautical miles outside the Maldives' territorial waters.
"As these two oil tankers were in a severely dilapidated condition, they began taking on water and sank tonight approximately 30 nautical miles east of Malé Atoll, outside the Maldives' territory," the MNDF message read.
The vessels initially drifted and ran aground on the reef on the eastern side of Malé before colliding with a pillar of the Sinamalé Bridge. Military authorities stated that nine people were on board at the time; however, all individuals were rescued by the MNDF.
The incident occurred despite a decision made a month and a half ago to move the vessels to a safe location and secure them at a harbor due to fears of such an accident occurring.
The operation was planned to be carried out under the supervision of the MNDF and Maldives Ports Limited (MPL), with a further decision to seek police assistance if required.
Reliable sources informed Adhadhu that the vessels were scheduled to be moved to Thilafushi on July 16. The Housing Development Corporation (HDC) had already granted permission for the vessels to be docked at Thilafushi.
However, it remains unclear why the vessels were kept anchored near Malé instead of being transported to Thilafushi as planned.
The two vessels entered Maldivian waters without any authorization on April 26. Security forces only became aware of their presence a week later while they were anchored near Malé.
The two vessels have been identified as MT KG 1 and AL 1. Sources stated that both tankers were registered in the Republic of Haiti, though their ownership remains unverified.
