Police have urged vessels to exercise caution after several shipping containers fell into the sea from a barge operated by Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) near the Malé Commercial Harbour.

Police said the containers fell from an MPL barge moored at the outer jetty of the commercial harbour. The incident was reported to police by the company at 11:10 p.m., after it was discovered that several containers had fallen into the sea and were drifting.

Police said the containers are believed to be drifting in the waters between Dhonidhoo and Feydhoo Finolhu.

Vessels travelling through the area have been advised to exercise extra caution until the containers are located and recovered.