Two employees died from crane fragment impact: MPL

The two Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) staff who died from an accident in Male’ Commercial Harbour were hit by a crane fragment shot from the crane’s hook, after the base of the hook cracked and gave way, MPL has said today.

Speaking to the media, Assistant General Manager of MPL’s Cargo Division Mohamed Hashim confirmed that a container fell from the crane while being loaded on to the freight vessel Morning Viship, but said that contrary to initial reports, the container did not fall on the two men who died. The incident occurred around 9:40 p.m. on Monday night.

“The incident happened after a part of the ship, or rather, the crane which unloads containers failed. The two men lost their lives after a part of the equipment hit them. Nobody was stuck under the container. We can provide additional details after the investigation,” Hashim said, regarding the incident which also left a third man injured.

All safety procedures were up to MPL standards and the company routinely conducts training drills at the harbour, assured the Assistant Managing Director.

The company will facilitate the required insurance money and provide salaries of the deceased to their families, until all children reach eighteen years of age, Hashim said.

The victims; Mohamed Nashid of Chaandhanee Villa, Noonu Kudafari is survived by his wife and two children, while Mohamed Shareef of Maafannu Paris Villa, Male’ also has a wife and three children.

The crane operator also suffered a seizure at the moment of the accident, but did not have serious injuries. He was treated at ADK Hospital and soon released.

Marine Police and Maldives Transport Authority are investigating the incident.