Malé City Council calls for compensation and bridge safety assurance

The Malé City Council is asking for reparations for the damage done to the reef and the Sinamalé Bridge, as well as requesting an independent inquiry into the incident in which two tankers under the custody of Customs lost their anchors and drifted into the bridge on Thursday night.

The council stated that the vessels, MTKG 1 and AL 1, had been in the custody of Customs since 3rd May, following their entry into Maldivian waters without authorization on 26th April.

According to the council, the vessels later ran onto Malé’s eastern reef before striking a pillar of the Sinamalé Bridge amid worsening weather and rough seas. Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) said the vessels subsequently drifted beneath the bridge and sank about 30 nautical miles outside Maldivian waters.

The council stated that the authorities have not yet given the public a clear explanation of how the vessels lost their anchors and drifted into the bridge.

It called for an independent public inquiry into the incident, including the vessels’ entry into Maldivian waters, their detention under Customs’ custody and the circumstances that led to the collision. It also urged authorities to assess the damage to the reef through the Environmental Regulatory Authority and secure compensation for damage to the bridge.

The council also requested an engineering assessment of the Sinamalé Bridge to determine whether the impact had affected its pillars or platform and to provide the public with assurance regarding the structure’s safety.

The situation has led to greater concerns about maritime security in the Malé area, as unregulated vessels could endanger the Sinamalé Bridge, Velana International Airport, and other critical infrastructure.

Housing Minister Abdulla Muththalib said Second Harbor Engineering Company had inspected the bridge following the incident. He said the inspection found no structural damage, although minor scratches were observed.

Muththalib pointed out that if a vessel lost control in the Malé area, it could cause serious disruption and pose major risks to vital infrastructure.