The Maldives liveaboard Emperor Explorer was lost after a fire broke out near Malé, according to operator Emperor Group. All guests and crew were evacuated safely, and no injuries were reported.
The operator said everyone on board was transferred to the Emperor Serenity, a smaller vessel in the same fleet. Emperor Group CEO Alexander Bryant said, “Our priority is the safety and well-being of everyone on board, and we are profoundly grateful that all guests and crew are safe and well.”
Fire spread quickly near Malé
Eyewitnesses said the blaze moved fast enough that some people on board jumped into the water to escape. Eliška Hofmannová, who recorded the scene from the nearby Princess Sara liveaboard, said, “The ship burned down and sank during the night.”
The fire was reported near the Fish Factory dive site close to the Maldives’ capital. No cause has been released yet, and details of the evacuation have not been disclosed.
A major vessel in Emperor Group’s fleet
The 42m Emperor Explorer entered service in 2019 and could carry up to 26 guests. It operated seven-night “Best Of Maldives” itineraries and normally carried up to 14 crew, including four dive guides and three dedicated dhoni crew.
The vessel had been due to leave service at the end of the month. Emperor Group had recently launched its successor, the Emperor Explorer II, as its new flagship.
Next steps after the loss
An official inquiry is expected to follow the incident. Marine losses in the Maldives are usually investigated by the Maldives National Defence Force Coast Guard, which serves as the country’s maritime enforcement and rescue authority.
The immediate focus now remains on the passengers and crew who were evacuated, while the operator assesses the loss of one of its best-known liveaboards in the Maldives.
Read more at: divernet.com
