Maldives blast likely assassination attempt: media

International investigators probing an explosion on a presidential yacht in the Maldives last week have found that the blast may have been an attempt to assassinate the president, local media reported on Wednesday.

Two military officials who had access to the yacht have been arrested over the incident and further investigations are ongoing, said the media reports.

Investigators from the United States, Saudi Arabia, Australia, India and Sri Lanka who arrived in the Maldives hours after the explosion on Sept. 28, have ruled out the government's initial theory stating that the blast may have been a technical fault.

Investigators have revealed that they have strong evidence to believe that the explosion was likely pre-planned and an attempt on the life of President Abdullah Yameen.

Yameen escaped unhurt in the explosion but his wife and two other security officials received serious injuries.

The first lady fell unconscious when the blast ripped through part of the yacht, and was rushed to hospital along with two other injured. She suffered injuries on her back and remains in hospital.

Yameen had landed at the Ibrahim Nasir International Airport in Hulhule from Saudi Arabia after completing the Hajj pilgrimage and was on his way to capital Male to be greeted by government officials and journalists when the explosion occurred.

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

The National inquiry commission set up in connection to the explosion this week, released footage of the video which was caught on camera by journalists who witnessed the incident. Endi