Human remains found on southern island

Human remains were found on an uninhabited island in the southern Laamu atoll in late April, according to the police.

L. Guraidhoo kiyaa falhu rashakun 28/04/2016 dhuvahu Insaanegge Kashithakeh kamah belevey Kashi thakeh vanee fenifa pic.twitter.com/vQWV6iMAwF

— Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) May 3, 2016

A police spokesperson told The Maldives Independent that the discovery of human bones on inhabited and uninhabited islands was not uncommon.

“Every now and then, we do find human remains from islands. Sometimes from islands people used to live in before,” he said.

It is unclear whether the island of Guraidhoo in Laamu atoll was previously inhabited.

The spokesperson added that the remains found this week appear to be very old as only the strongest bones and teeth remain. A sample has been sent abroad for forensic analysis whilst the rest have been reburied, he said.

In 2014, the police discovered buried bones at Henveiru Adi Park in Malé. Local media reported at the time that the area was previously used as a cemetery.

In October 2010, a box containing cowry shells and a cat-like idol was discovered next to human remains in Fuvammulah, while local islanders were digging an area to prepare for tree planting.