A tourist died this morning (April 1) after being hit by a boat propeller.

Police said the incident occurred at Manta Point in Alif Dhaal Atoll. The deceased was a German man.

The incident was reported at 09:59 am. Police said an investigation was underway.

Such incidents occur occasionally in the South Ari Marine Protected Area (SAMPA).

SAMPA extends to 1km from the shoreline and runs from Rangali island resort at its northwestern edge, around to the end of the local inhabited island of Dhigurah.

The area was protected in June 2009 because of its importance as a globally significant aggregation site for the whale shark.

A management plan was drawn up in February last year to force a security guard on the propeller of vessels.