Authorities assess damage to reef, bridge from oil tankers cast adrift

Authorities have begun assessing the damage caused to Malé reef and the Sinamalé Bridge after two large oil tankers crashed into one of the bridge pillars.

Footage that circulated on social media last night showed the oil tankers being swept toward the bridge by strong currents from Male’ north area, near carnival.  Later footage showed one of the tankers wrecked onto one of the bridge pillars after losing control.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s CEO Hassaan Mohamed told Sun on Friday that the agency is investigating the incident, adding an assessment would be conducted to establish the extent of the environmental damage resulting from the vessels wrecking on the reef.

The full extent of the damage has yet to be determined. A specialized inspection was also conducted this morning to assess whether the bridge sustained any structural damage. However, detailed findings from the assessments have not yet been made public.

According to the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), the two vessels involved in the incident were under the supervision of the Maldives Customs Service. The authority also confirmed that all individuals aboard the vessels were safely rescued.