Generator Smoke Believed to Have Caused Malé North Harbour Boat Incident, Victims’ Condition Improving

Authorities have identified smoke from a running generator as the likely cause of an incident this morning at Malé North Harbour in which five men were found unconscious on a boat.

The Maldives Police Service said the incident was reported at approximately 6:35 a.m., prompting an emergency response. The group included four expatriates and one Maldivian, all of whom were transported to Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital for treatment. Officials confirmed that their condition is now improving.

Preliminary investigation suggests that the generator was operating in an enclosed space where the men were sleeping, exposing them to toxic fumes. Authorities warned that exposure to generator exhaust can cause loss of consciousness and potentially life-threatening situations.

To prevent similar incidents, officials urged that generators and other equipment emitting toxic gases should never be used in enclosed sleeping or resting areas on vessels, and that proper ventilation systems should always be maintained.

The case remains under investigation. Incidents like these have raised broader concerns about worker safety, particularly for personnel living and working on sea vessels.