SL to assist with Maldives blast probe

30 September 2015 06:53 pm

An investigations team from Sri Lanka will travel to neigbouring Maldives to assist in the ongoing investigation into the explosion aboard the presidential speedboat carrying President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom and the First Lady on Monday morning, Haveeru Online reported.
Already five Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officials from US were in the Maldives assisting the investigation, it said quoting a Maldivian Police spokesperson. “A team from neighbouring Sri Lanka and India were also set to arrive in the Maldives for the investigation.

In addition to the FBI agents, a nine-member forensic team from Saudi Arabia were also assisting with the investigation,” the Male based Haveeru Online said.

The Presidential delegation returned home Monday morning after concluding their visit to Saudi Arabia to perform the annual hajj pilgrimage.
The president was unhurt, but the first lady suffered a spinal fracture while presidential secretary Fathimath Mohamed Solih and bodyguard Abdu Nasir also suffered minor injuries including burns. They were still being treated at the state run Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).

The Maldivian Government on Wednesday had suggested that Monday's explosion was likely a targeted attack, a claim that contradicts earlier accounts given by a top administration official.