Last Updated: October 22, 2023, 12:10 IST
An aerial view shows an atoll in the Maldives December 9, 2009. Maldives has a population of some 500,000 islanders, whose livelihood from fishing and tourism. (Reuters File Photo)
Maldives gas explosion claims lives of two Indian nationals in a tragic incident on Makunudhoo Island
The Indian mission in the Maldives expressed sorrow on Sunday following the tragic loss of two Indian nationals on one of the northern islands of the archipelago due to what local media reports describe as a gas explosion.
“We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident on Haa Dhaal Makunudhoo island in which two Indian nationals have lost their lives. High Commission is in close contact with Maldivian authorities as well as the families of the victims,” the Indian High Commission in Maldives wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
We are deeply saddened by the tragic incident on Haa Dhaal Makunudhoo island in which two Indian nationals have lost their lives.High Commission is in close contact with Maldivian authorities as well as the families of the victims.
— India in Maldives (@HCIMaldives) October 22, 2023
As per local media reports, the gas explosion occurred on Saturday on Haa Dhaal Makunudhoo. However, the nationality of the victims was not specified. The incident involved a gas cylinder blast in the Makunudhoo fish market area. The incident occurred at around 4:15 PM (local time), and the aftermath of the blast revealed charred human remains within a 500-foot radius, the Maldives-based SunOnline International reported.
The individuals were later identified as employees working on an airport reclamation project on the island, the report added. Local law enforcement, including a police forensic team, is actively probing the incident. The explosion was reported to have taken place near the island’s harbor, specifically in the vicinity of the fish market located at the southern end.
