A safari boat anchored in the lagoon of Kuda Villingili island near K. Thulusdhoo caught on fire in the wee hours of Monday.
Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) said they received reports of the incident around 5.42 am in the morning. Fire-fighters were immediately dispatched to the location, said MNDF.
MNDF said the safari is an Australian vessel named 'Veritta', and three Australian residents were aboard the vessel at the time of the incident. All three people were rescued and treated at Thulusdhoo Health Centre for smoke inhalation. Their conditions are not serious and did not sustain injuries, said an official from the health centre.
The burning safari sunk while the fire was being put out.
