A German tourist died this morning after being struck by a boat at Manta Point in South Ari Atoll, police have confirmed.
The incident was reported to Maldives Police Service at 9:59 a.m. today. The victim was a German national, though further details about his identity have not yet been released.
The accident occurred within the Southern Marine Protection Area (SAMPA), a protected marine zone in South Ari Atoll. SAMPA stretches one kilometer from the outer bank of the reef, running from the northwest corner of Rangali to the north corner of Digurah.
Boat strikes on swimmers and divers are not uncommon in the area. In response to the recurring danger, a management plan was introduced in February last year requiring a spotter or lookout to be stationed at the rear of all vessels operating in the zone — a measure designed to prevent exactly this type of incident.
