A fuel barge belonging to FSM which was unloading fuel to Shaviyani Atoll Komandoo has started sinking after breaking open during an incident on Friday.

MNDF Northern Area Coast Guard First Squadron has started providing assistance after a sheet pile at Komandoo Jetty hit the fuel barge, breaking it open.

MNDF noted that upon being informed about the incident, they had rushed to the scene, where a team of divers from MNDF Northern Area Coast Guard First Squadron has been deployed since 10:00 am to provide assistance.

MNDF said that the FSM fuel barge which hit the sheet pile has a hole of about eight inches, adding that the barge has drifted up to Shaviyani Mathikomandoo. They also added that the sinking has since been solved after having blocked the hole.

No further details were available, while the Komandoo Council did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Therefore, it is not yet clear if there was any oil leak from the vessel during the incident.