One dead after boat capsizes off Kumundhoo

A cargo boat capsized off HDh. Kumundhoo on Thursday, leaving one dead and another in serious condition.

The boat 'Kaani' had been travelling from Kulhudhuffushi City to Sh. Funadhoo with four people when it capsized off the coast of Kumundhoo at around 08:45 am Thursday.

The four people - two Maldivian citizens and two expatriates – were rescued by the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) Northern Area Command’s Coast Guard First Squadron.

According to the MNDF, two of them were in serious condition and were transported to Kulhudhuffushi City on a Coast Guard harbor craft, and rushed to the Kulhudhuffushi Regional Hospital.

A police spokesperson said that one of the people rushed to the hospital, a 66-year-old Maldivian male, died at around 10:30 am while under treatment.

A second person remains under treatment at the hospital.

Meanwhile, the other two people rescued in the incident were taken on board a boat sent by the owner of the cargo boat that capsized.

The incident is under investigation by the police.

It marks the latest in a number of similar marine incidents recently, amid strong winds and rough seas with the intensification of the Hulhangu Monsoon.