The bodies of two inmates who died while serving their prison sentences have been sent to India for post-mortem examinations.

Police said the autopsies are being conducted to determine the exact causes of the deaths. In a message to the media today, police confirmed that the bodies of Hassan Niyaz and Ibrahim Suhail were taken to India for further examination.

The first inmate to pass away was Ibrahim Suhail. According to the Maldives Correctional Service, Suhail died of pneumonia a week after being admitted to Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).

The second inmate, Hassan Niyaz, 45, died at Hulhumale’ Prison after his condition worsened. Niyaz had been sentenced to life imprisonment for drug offenses on March 30.

Authorities said investigations into both deaths are ongoing.