Mayor Azim Says Careless Governance Has Left Maldives Vulnerable After Tanker Incident

Malé City Mayor Adam Azim has said the country has “failed and been reduced to such vulnerability” under what he described as careless governance, following the incident involving two tankers that drifted from Malé Harbour and struck the Sinamalé Bridge.

In a post on X, Azim questioned the purpose of the drones, naval vessels and weapons purchased by the state at a cost of millions of dollars, asking how two large vessels were able to enter Maldivian waters and remain anchored near Malé for several days without the knowledge of relevant authorities.

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Azim said the circumstances surrounding the vessels’ presence near the capital must be investigated and disclosed to the public.

އަގުބޮޑު ޑްރޯންތަކާއި، ކަނޑުގެ މަނަވަރުތަކާއި، އެތައް މިލިޔަން ޑޮލަރު ހޭދަކޮށްގެން ގަންނަ ހަތިޔާރުތަކުގެ ބޭނުމަކީ ކޮބައިތޯ؟
ރާއްޖޭގެ ކަމާބެހޭ މުއްސަސާއައް ނޭގި ބޮޑު ދެބޯޓު ރާއްޖޭގެ ސަރަހައްދަށް ވަދެގެން، މާލެސިޓީގެ ކައިރީގައި ބަދަރުކޮށްފަ އޮންނަތާ މިހާރު އެތަކެއް ދުވަސްވެއްޖެ.… https://t.co/nTwxCYVKXY— Adam Azim, Mayor of Male’ City (@adamazim) September 12, 2026

The two vessels, which were under the custody of Maldives Customs Service, broke free from their anchors during severe weather on Thursday night and drifted beneath the Sinamalé Bridge, colliding with one of its main pillars.

All nine crew members aboard the two vessels were rescued. The vessels later drifted out of Malé Atoll and sank after taking on water.

Following the collision, a special inspection was conducted with technical experts from CCCC Second Harbor Engineering Company, the contractor involved in constructing the Sinamalé Bridge. Construction and Infrastructure Minister Dr Abdulla Muththalib said the inspection found no structural damage to the bridge, although minor surface scratches were identified on the exterior of its pillars.

Repair work on the affected areas will be carried out by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).