MVR 4.3 million loss for boat owners following Kendhoo fire

The owners of the boats that were destroyed in the fire in Baa Kendhoo early Friday morning, have said that the incident has left them with losses estimated at MVR 4.3 million.

Abdul Muhsin, one of the owners of the 75-foot fibreglass boat Hoara, the largest vessel that burned down, told Sun Online that the boat was worth MVR 2.5 million.

He said that the business was owned by five siblings and financed by a loan, and the construction of the boat was completed less than a year ago.

The boat had not been insured and the loss is irrecoverable, he said.

Moosa Jamal, who spoke to Sun Online on behalf of the owner of the second boat destroyed in the fire, said that the boat was worth MVR 780,000 and had valuable equipment for yellow-fin tuna fishing onboard at the time of the incident.

He said that with the destruction of the boat, eight fishermen also lost their jobs.

President of Kendhoo Council Ghaffar Gasim told Sun Online that the fire, very likely arson, was discovered at around 5:00 a.m. on Friday.

Police said that the case is under investigation, and no one has been arrested.