Four-year-old drowns in Maafushi 

A four-year-old drowned yesterday on Maafushi, Kaafu Atoll..

The four-year-old was from the southern island atoll of Fuvahmulah. He was in Maafushi for a family holiday.

The Maldives Police Service told the Maldives Independent that the boy was rushed to a health centre, despite showing no signs of life. 

Minister of Gender, Family and Social Services, Shidhatha Shareef, tweeted: “I was deeply saddened to hear the news of the four-year-old who drowned. It is imperative that parents do not leave children unattended to avoid repetition of incidents [such as this].”

Maafushi is a popular destination for both local and foreign tourists, and is home to numerous guesthouses. It is about 30 minutes boat ride from the capital, Malé. 

A 40-year-old Turkish man also drowned in Maafushi, Kaafu Atoll, on February 23.