Edition.mv
Friday June 28, 2024
Three Somali nationals who were found after drifting onto Vavathi, an uninhabited island in Noonu atoll located in northern Maldives last Saturday, have been handed over to Maldives Immigration today.
"The three Somali nationals have been placed in the Immigration facility in Hulhumale'," a message sent to the press by a police media official read.
The Immigration detention center for undocumented immigrants is located in Hulhumale' Phase 2.
According to reports, the three individuals were initially placed in a temporary shelter provided by the police in Noonu atoll Holhudhoo. Following this, a video had emerged on social media showing them walking through the streets of the island.
Although Police have confirmed that they have received information that the "Armaajo 1" dinghy carrying three Somali men had drifted to Vavathi, they are yet to release any further information about the situation.
Somali boats have been spotted drifting in the Maldivian waters in the past as well. While Somali pirates also pose a threat in the region, it is unclear whether these individuals have any connection to piracy.