Funeral of the deceased Principal and students of Hiriya School tonight after 10:00

Funeral of Ali Nazim, Moonimaage, V. Felidhoo, Principal of Hiriya School, and four students who drowned to death today at K. Atoll Huraa shall be held tonight after 10 o’clock, says the Ministry of Islamic Affairs. According to previous plans, the funeral was to be held after the Night Prayers. However, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs had changed the time due to a torrent of visitors to pay last respect to the deceased.

Principal of Hiriya School and four students died, shocking the nation into sorrowful silence and tears, while they in an outing at Huraa to do the works of a Fisheries Science project. The students drowned in an 8-feet deep lagoon area to the north-east of Huraa.

Students who died in the incident were Mariyam Naaz, Suvaasaage, H.A. Hoarafushi, Nash’ath Saeed, Meenaz, G.A. Dhevvadhoo, Aishath Saaniha Muhammad Naseer, Handuvaree Villa, R. Rasmaadhoo and Mariyam Shaiha, M. Moisha, Malé. All of them were studying at Hiriyaa Secondary School, at grade 9.

NAZIM: A HERO

Principal Ali Nazim, according to eye-witness reports, immediately tried to rescue 8 children who were caught in the incident, and managed to save a handful of them. However, he gave in to exhaustion and laid his life trying to save as many of his students as possible.

It is highly probably that a hugely exhausted Nazim was drowned because of the desperate attempts of some children clinging to him.

The whole nation is praising and praying for Nazim who has come to be taken as a national hero.

POLICE AND MNDF INVESTIGATES THE INCIDENT

Commissioner of Police Ahmed Faseeh said today that the Maldives Police Services and the Maldives National Defence Forces (MNDF) had jointly started investigations into the sad incident today that took the life of the Principal and four student children of Hiriya School.

Speaking to the press today, Faseeh said that the Police and MNDF would do their job to ensure that such sad incidents to not repeat. Faseeh also requested all persons and organizations to be careful not to spread incorrect and inappropriate rumors at such times as this.

“It is our request that all should refrain from spreading information that are contrary to the truth. Such things will only harm our beloved people”, said Faseeh.

OPPOSITION CALLS FOR INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIONS

AND RESIGNATION OF EDUCATION MINISTER

An alliance of the opposition parties in the Maldives, and Progressive Party of the Maldives, a new party on the process of formation, have called on the government to establish an independent committee to investigate the incident that happened today.

They called the government to include representatives of the Maldives Judiciary, NGOs and private individuals in the committee.

In a press conference held today, Ahmed Ilham, speaking on behalf of the opposition alliance, said that only an independent committee can conduct reliable and effective investigations of the incident. He also said that the President Nasheed, who is now on a visit abroad, should immediately establish the committee.

Ilham said that the incident could not have occurred but for the negligence of some, and that those who had been negligent should be made accountable. He also said that students should not be taken to such an outing without sufficient safety precautions, and accused Shifa Mohamed, the Education Minister, of having failed to fulfill her obligations towards the student. He then called for her resignation.

PRESIDENT AND FORMER PRESIDENT EXTENDS CONDOLENCES

President Mohamed Nasheed, as well as former President Maumoon Abdul Qayyoom have today extended their condolences to the families of Principal Ali Nazim and four students of Hiriya School who died today.

A statement issued by the President’s Office said that President Nasheed “heard the news of the sad incident with shock and deep sadness. “I participate in the loss of their families, and extend my sincere condolences to those families in my name as well as in the name of the government”, read the statement.

President Nasheed has also decided to fly the national flag at half-mast as an expression of national mourning due to today’s loss.

In a statement issued through the media, former President Maumoon said that he and his family shared the sorrow and pain of the families who lost loved ones today. “I pray to God to grant those beloved souls eternal blessings in His Paradise, and to grant their families patience and highest rewards”, Maumoon’s statement said.

SUN FM TO BROADCAST PRIVATE MESSAGES OF CONDOLENCE

Sun FM radio has stated that any who wished to send condolences to the families of those who died in the sad incident today could be able to do so until 12 o’clock tonight, free of charge. Messages should be sent Sun FM mail address, [email protected] or faxed to 3343789.