A group of men are alleged to have gang raped a woman on Fuvahmulah after dragging her to a beach and restraining her husband.

Sub-Inspector Ahmed Shameen from Fuvahmulah police said the group of men, “we don’t know how many”, stopped the couple on their motorbike last night before taking them to a remote beach on the island.

The men restrained the husband while the women was raped.

Shameen said police had brought in three men for questioning, while a special team from Male’ had been dispatched to investigate the incident.

“There has been huge support from islanders,” he said, adding that “we are waiting for the doctor’s report to confirm the couple’s condition.”

An island resident familiar with the situation reported that six attackers had used ‘face veils’ to hide their identities, and pointed a knife at the husband’s neck to restrain him.

The islander also said the woman had suffered severe trauma and was not allowing anyone to come near her.

Atoll councillor Hassan Saeed “strongly condemned” the attack and said “the public should work together to stop such indicents.

“We must always work to maintain the peace and harmony of Fuvahmulah,” he said.