Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure has stated that the bridge platform, which ran aground on Villimale’, has been refloated.
The planning ministry earlier stated that the bridge platform would be removed by August 25, but the work was delayed after high tides prevented the platform from being refloated. After the removal of the platform, a team from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will begin assessing the damages to the reef of Villimale'.
Afcons Infrastructure Limited stated that the self-elevating platform, which was brought in for geotechnical studies of the Thila-Male' Bridge, was hit by strong winds and waves, adding there were 11 employees on the platform at the time and they were rescued following the incident that occurred on August 16 while the platform was being anchored.
Following the incident, a meeting was held with the planning ministry, EPA, and Afcons. The ministry stated that the contractor assures there would be no delay in the project timeline despite the incident.