A number of people injured after a launch travelling from Hulhul

A launch traveling from Hulhulé with 24 tourists to Club Med (Kanifinolhu) Resort has caught fire injuring everyone on board.

Police Media Official said that the fire was on board “Suvenier 18” around 1:10 p.m. today. There were a total of 24 people on board consisting 17 tourists and the crew and some staff from Kanifinolhu Resort.

“Everyone on board sustained burns in the incident. They sustained different levels of injuries.” Police Media Official said.

One of the locals on board the launch at the time of the incident now receiving treatment at IGMH (Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital) told the Sun Journalist Fathimath Saeed that the “launch suddenly caught fire.”

“The fire caught suddently. Don’t know why it happened. The engine caught fire while the launch was moving.” A Maldivian who was on board “Suvenier 18” at the time of the fire said.

MNDF has said that fire was caught on a launch named “Suvenier 18” with a total of 17 tourists.

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“18 tourists and two Maldivians sustained different levels of injuries. They are being treated at IGMH (Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital).” MNDF said.

They said that none of the people taken to IGMH sustained any serious injuries.

“Everyone survived in the incident. But they sustained different levels of injuries.” Police Media Official said.

Alifaan Roavefai vanee "Suvenier 18" Kiyaa Launchehga. Mi Lauchun Dhathurukuri 3 Fathuruveriaku Mihaaru Vanee Vanee Hulhule ah Gendhevifa.

— MNDF (@MNDF_Official) September 26, 2015

A witness at the scene told Sun Media that that a local man, a Chinese man and child were injured in the launch fire. And said that the Chinese man’s arm was burned.

Sources tell Sun Media that three people injured in the fire has been taken the Health Center in Hulhulé.

MNDF Fire and Rescue and the Marine Police of the Maldives Police Services began a rescue operation and controlling the fire once they received the news of the fire.

MNDF said that the fire on “Suvenier 18” was completely extinguished around 2:10 p.m.