Earthquake strikes 2,553km off Addu; no direct threat

A 5.3 magnitude earthquake has struck 2,553 kilometers off Addu City, according to the Maldives Meteorological Service.

In a statement on Saturday, the weather agency said the earthquake struck in the Mid-Indian Ridge at around 09:55 am local time.

“There is no threat to the Maldives,” said the agency.

The Mid-Indian Ridge is part of a major underwater mountain range that runs through the Indian Ocean, formed by the divergent boundary between the African and Indo-Australian tectonic plates. Earthquakes in this region are typically caused by seafloor spreading and are common, though rarely felt in the Maldives due to distance and depth.

The Maldives, while located near several active tectonic zones, is generally shielded from direct seismic impact. However, authorities continue to monitor regional activity to ensure early warning capabilities.