The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has assisted a fishing vessel, named Vana Dhoani,  that collided into a small reef close to the surface near Thinadhoo of Gaafu Dhaalu atoll. 

Captain Ibrahim Azim, the spokesperson for the military, said that the incident was reported at around 21:47 on Thursday and that the MNDF Coast Guard’s southern area squad was deployed immediately. 

The pillar that the vessel, carrying 21 passengers, collided into is six nautical miles off of Thinadhoo island. No one onboard was injured in the collision. 

Both the MNDF and the Meteorological Services has advised caution due to ongoing heavy rain to central and southern regions of the Maldives.