Five people were injured after a fire broke out on a fishing vessel off the coast of Kaafu Dhoonidhoo on Saturday afternoon, with Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) and Maldives Police Serivice responding to the incident.

Police said the fire was reported at around 14:54 near Kurumba Maldives resort. MNDF’s Malé Area Command and Hulhumalé Fire Station were deployed to the area and are continuing firefighting efforts.

There were 15 people on board the vessel at the time of the incident. Police said two Maldivians and three foreigners sustained injuries and were transported to Malé City for further treatment.

The injured were evacuated to Malé City on a vessel operated by Kurumba Maldives. Authorities said the remaining individuals on board the vessel were accounted for.

MNDF and police operations are ongoing in the area as efforts continue to fully extinguish the fire and secure the scene.