Bulker runs aground in Kaafu Atoll, Maldives

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and other local partners are responding to a grounding incident involving a foreign commercial vessel in the country’s Kaafu Atoll on Thursday, August 19.

The Panama-registered bulk carrier Navios Amaryllis was sailing from India to South Africa when it made bottom contact on the atoll’s Rasfaree Reef in the late afternoon (local time) of Thursday after it suffered engine failure.

No damage or pollution has been reported. The 19-strong crew, all of whom are Filipino nationals, are all safe.

The MNDF said the refloating of the grounded vessel will commence following the arrival of two contracted tugs, one of which will come from Sri Lanka.