A cargo vessel travelling from Hithadhoo in Addu City to Malé ran aground on the Rasmalé reef late Saturday night, police have confirmed.
Four people were on board at the time: a Maldivian captain and three expatriate crew members. None sustained injuries. Both the Maldives Police Service and the MNDF Coast Guard responded promptly to the incident.
The crew were initially rescued by a local vessel from the Rasmalé area and later transferred to a Coast Guard harbour patrol launch. Efforts are underway to refloat the grounded ship. Videos shared on social media show the vessel listing heavily against the reef.
Authorities are investigating the circumstances that led to the grounding. The extent of damage to the hull or cargo has not been disclosed. Rasmalé is a major land reclamation project intended for housing and development, with recent discussions around leasing portions of the reclaimed land.
Groundings on reefs remain a concern in Maldivian waters due to navigation challenges, weather, and increasing vessel traffic. Similar incidents in the past have resulted in environmental assessments and fines where coral damage was confirmed.
Officials said updates will be provided as the refloating operation progresses and the investigation concludes. The incident highlights ongoing operational risks near active reclamation sites.
