Twelve Foreigners Injured In Maldives Explosion

Twelve Foreigners Injured In Maldives Explosion

Male -- The Government of Maldives has strongly condemned the detonation of an improvised explosive device in Sultan Park in the commercial district of the capital Male', as a malicious act aimed at undermining the peace and harmony that has always prevailed in the country. The Government has also expressed its support for the victims and their families and has vowed to bring the perpetrators of the crime to justice.

The device went off at about 2.36pm today injuring twelve foreign nationals. The injured include two British nationals who sustained significant burns, while eight Chinese and two Japanese suffered minor burns and injury caused by flying shrapnel. All were immediately taken to Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital and ADK hospital for treatment. All except the British nationals have now been discharged from hospital.

Minister of Tourism Mahmood Shaugee visited the victims in hospital to express the support and concern of the Government and the people of the Maldives.

The area near Sultan Park has been cordoned off by the Maldives Police Service and the Maldives National Defense Force which have launched a joint investigation into the incident. CCTV footage has been released and the public has been urged to share any information that might help with the investigation.

A key ministerial group has been instituted to discuss and take decisions on the next steps to be taken in relation to the incident.

The Government of Maldives has always condemned acts of aggression and terror wherever they are perpetrated and has vowed to bring the perpetrators of today's explosion to justice. As of yet no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and the identities of the perpetrators and the motives behind the act are not yet clear.

Sultan Park which houses the National Museum is an open park for locals and foreigners alike. The foreign nationals were reported to be in the immediate vicinity when the device went off a few feet from the entrance to the park.

ENDS

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