Two people were killed after a gas cylinder exploded on Makunudhoo Island in Haa Dhaalu Atoll on Saturday. The incident occurred near the fish market in the harbour area of the island.
The deceased have been identified as Indian nationals: Mohammad Raja Ansari, 27, and Sudhira Sethy, 25. They were working on a land reclamation and coastal protection project on the island and were both employed by Bison Maldives Private Limited, a subcontractor for the project.
Local media reports citing eyewitnesses say the blast was so powerful that body parts were scattered more than 200 feet away. Photos circulating on social media reveal extensive damage caused by the explosion, including damage to the ceiling and windows of a nearby building and several parked vehicles.
Teams from the Maldives Police Service (MPS) and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) are investigating the incident.