2nd LD Writethru: Maldivian president escapes unhurt in speed boat explosion

Maldivian President Abdullah Yameen was unhurt after an explosion took place on his speed boat as it was approaching the capital of Male on Monday.

Minister of the President's Office and Acting Foreign Minister Mohammed Hussain Shareef confirmed that First Lady Fathimath had suffered minor injuries, along with President Yameen's bodyguard Abdul Nasir and a member of President's Office protocol Fathimath Solih.

The first lady had lost consciousness following the blast and had suffered injuries on her back. The injuries however were not life threatening, Shareef said. "The president accompanied his wife in the ambulance as she was taken to hospital. She is currently under observation and the president is safe," the minister said.

President Yameen had landed at the international airport of the island nation from Saudi Arabia after the Hajj pilgrimage and was on his way to Male to be greeted by government officials and journalists when his speed boat caught fire.

Eye witnesses said as the boat approached the Izzuddin Jetty, there was a loud noise followed by smoke and then a blast.

The first lady is being treated at hospital following the incident. Maldivian Development Alliance party Leader Ahmed Siyam Mohamed was also on board the speed boat.

An investigations had been launched into the explosion to identify if it was a deliberate attempt on the life of the president.

"We are not ruling anything out. Our armed forces along with the police are at the sight investigating if this was an accident or a deliberate attempt on the life of the president," Minister at the President's Office Shareef told Xinhua.

The incident was caught on footage by journalists on the jetty, who were waiting to cover the arrival of the president. "The investigating team will have a look at this footage in order to see what exactly happened. This footage will be very important to us," Shareef said.

The blast occurred after a speed boat caught fire while traveling from Hulhule to Club Med Kani (Kanifinolhu) Resort on Saturday after it left the airport.

At least 24 people were onboard the boat with all of them being rushed to nearby hospitals when the fire broke out. The injured included 16 Chinese nationals, 2 from Japan, 1 from Bangladesh, 2 from India, 1 from Sri Lanka and 1 from Maldives.

Four people receiving treatment have been released while the rest are still in hospital with one in the ICU. Endi