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Maldives president escapes unhurt from speedboat blast

Maldives president escapes unhurt from speedboat blast

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

Unidentified injured people are evacuated after a blast on the Maldives President Yameen Abdul Gayoom speedboat in Male, Maldives Monday, Sept. 28, 2015. Gayoom's wife Fathimath Ibrahim and several officials suffered minor injuries. The country's international airport is on a separate island and a short boat trip is needed to reach the capital island. Photo: AFP

MALE: Maldives President Yameen Abdul Gayoom escaped unhurt Monday from a blast on his speedboat as he returned home after preforming Haj in Saudi Arabia. Minister Mohamed Shareef said the blast occurred Monday morning as the boat reached the main jetty in the capital of Male. Gayoom's wife Fathimath Ibrahim and several officials suffered minor injuries. Shareef said the cause of the blast, thought to have happened in the engine room, was not known. Boating accidents and fires are common in the Indian Ocean archipelago state. The country's international airport is on a separate island and a short boat trip is needed to reach the capital island.