NIC Investigates Customs Over Sinamalé Bridge Ship Collision

The National Integrity Commission (NIC) has launched an investigation into whether the Maldives Customs Service violated any laws after two anchored vessels broke loose during a storm and collided with the Sinamalé Bridge.

The collision took place on the night of September 10 after an oil ship and a tugboat, which were under Customs custody following their alleged illegal entry into Maldivian waters, went adrift and struck the bridge.

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The Maldives National Defence Force said the two vessels sank approximately 30 nautical miles outside the Maldives’ territorial waters. They also noted that nine people were on board at the time; however, all individuals were rescued by the MNDF.

According to an NIC statement on Monday, investigators are evaluating whether Customs breached any legal frameworks or official procedures during its supervision of the vessels.

NIC confirmed it took up the case on its own initiative.

Workers from China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), which maintains the bridge, inspected the site following the collision. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, Abdulla Muthalib, stated that while the bridge shows visible scratches, its structural integrity remains uncompromised.

pic.twitter.com/IhdssISWxT— National Integrity Commision (@NIC_Maldives) September 21, 2026