A safari vessel operating as a floating bar off Kaafu Maafushi was destroyed after breaking free from its anchorage and running aground during severe weather on Friday morning.
The Princess Laala broke free after its anchor gave way in rough seas and strong winds, drifting toward the island’s outer breakwater before striking the harbor’s sea wall and being pushed onto the reef, where it broke apart within minutes.
According to a Maafushi resident, the safari struck the harbor’s outer sea wall before running onto the reef, where it broke apart within about 10 minutes.
Videos circulating on social media show several people jumping into the sea as the vessel ran aground.
Police said they received a report of the incident at 10:15 a.m. The vessel had broken free from its mooring and was pushed into the outer breakwater by rough weather.
Six people were on board at the time, and no injuries were reported, police said.
The Princess Laala is regularly anchored off Maafushi and operates as a floating bar serving tourists visiting the island.
The incident occurred as the Maldives Meteorological Service (MET Office) had issued a Yellow Alert for severe weather, warning of winds of up to 50 mph.
According to the MET Office, a low-pressure trough over the northern and southeastern parts of the country has generated extensive rain clouds across the western Maldives. The agency has forecast unsettled weather across much of the country today, with adverse conditions expected to continue for the next two days.
