A family of four from Hdh. atoll Nolhivaranfaru is dead after a small dinghy boat carrying them to Hanimaadhoo Airport capsized amidst torrential rain and rough sea.
Hussain Abdulla, a teacher at Nolhivaranfaru School, his wife Mariyam Manike, their only daughter Guraisha Abdulla and her three year old daughter died when the speed boat with 10 people aboard capsized around 12:25 pm on Thursday afternoon.
Another woman, also a teacher at Nolhivaranfaru School died in the accident.
The injured are being treated at Hanimaadhoo Health Center.
Hanimaadhoo Airport is just 10 minutes away by speed boat from Nolhivaranfaru. News of the accident was delivered after a survivor from the capsized boat swam to Hanimaadhoo.
An MNDF spokesperson told media that boat capsized trying to enter Hanimaadhoo island.
Abdulla and his family boarded the ferry to sea off a friend at the airport. He is the longest serving teacher at Nolhivaranfaru School.
He was recently recognized for his long term service to the school at a ceremony earlier this year by the Vice President Faisal Naseem.