The Hilton Maldives Resort & Spa reports no disturbances to the luxury resort today
"We experienced high water levels, rising to unusual heights at around 11am our time," says General Manager, Carsten Schieck, "The waves washed over part of our restaurant and brought some driftwood material onto our beaches, before subsiding again a few minutes later.  None of our guests or staff have been affected.  There have been no injuries, no damage to our property and the resort is fully operational.  As soon as everyone at this resort was accounted for, we contacted neighbouring resorts to offer our assistance if required." read more

Aid from India arrives at Hanimaadhoo in the North

Indian cargo plan is Hanimadhoo and distributing food & other items there, people from northern islands are coming there to collect the items now, Plan landed around 2:40 pm.

Bandos spared and Whitesand Beach evacuated

Bandos Island Resort was not affected. No flooding inside the island. Only the beach was covered by the sea level rise at the time. Debris from other resorts are reported near the island. (half of a wooden jetty from another island was near the beach)
Nearly 100 guests from few other resorts were transferred to Bandos last night via airport and Male'. Some left and still many are there. It is confirmed that most of the clients were from Olhuveli and Dhonveli beach.
Bandos Island Resort had rooms available due to the ongoing renovation project to upgrade the facility. However it is confirmed that the main conference hall was also used as shelter for 60+ Italians guests. Everything in Bandos is normal.
All guests at Whitesands (Ari Beach) has been evacuated by this afternoon. Some of the staff refused to stay and left on the last boat. Some waited because the management ordered them to stay on to clean the devastated small island in Ari Atoll, south of Male'. It is believed that some family members of the staff complained at "Task Force HQ" about this issue. Later the management has informed that staff who would like to leave Whitesand can go
to Male' tomorrow, but the jobs will not be guaranteed to those who leave.
 

Appeal - Meemu Atoll Maduvvaree and Dhiggaru people in Male' looking for a vessel to send aid

Reports are coming from Male' that people form from these island who reside in Male are looking to hire a vessel to send food and other assistance to the Atoll. Mainly to Maduvvaree and Dhiggaru. If you can help, please contact us on dhivehiobserver@gmail.com. We apologise for the mistake stating this was Raa Atoll.

Dhigufinolhu Resort - damage to property not people
An email said "a few minutes ago, I have phoned the male office of Dhigufinolhu, South male atoll (00960-314008).

• massive damage to the property, no damage to the people.

• all the walkways between the four islands are gone

• the island is being evacuated today. We bring all the people to male

They also told me "We do not have 100% accurate information because the communication is still not working and we only have contact via cellular from time to time"

Note : We hope these email news will offer some comfort for all those concerned and we have confidence that these are emails sent to us in good faith and in support of our work to provide information on the crisis.

 

Reethi Beach Resort is unaffected
The following email from Thomas Schlytter, Germany confirms that things are ok there. "My brother in law called his sister and informed that all is well at the Reethi Beech resort. They did not even realise what was going on around them and thought it was not unusual that some water floods into the complex. Apart from wet feet no major problems."

 

Information Hotline in Sri Lanka - setup by Maldivians in Colombo + (94) 773034441

For those who are concerned about their loved ones, please call or sms + (94) 773034441 We will do our best to assist and help.
 

12:12 pm Male' - Pakistani Naval ship is on its way to Hakuraahuraa and Medhufushi Resorts in Meemu Atoll.

06:53 GMT- Four empty air crafts from UK going to Maldives empty to bring home  holidaymakers stranded there. These were originally going to take more guests to the Maldives.

---

Message from the Management of Per Aquum Resort and Spa-Dhoni Mighili

We have been monitoring the situation and would like to reassure you that all our in-house guests and team are safe and well. We are fortunate not to have had any casualities. There was minor damage to some areas of the resort. The main areas which were affected were the beach and the gym jetty. The beach cleaning is in operation is currently underway and we are endeavouring to repair the gym jetty as soon as possible. Read PDF

 

	Ahmed Moosa (Sappe') Editor in Chief

 DO Announcement 
Dhivehi Observer calls off it's Maldives Tourism Boycott Campaign

London - 27 - Aug. 2004 - Given the grim situation in our small nation and the plight of the people, we have decided to call off the 'Maldives Boycott Campaign' with immediate effect. DO will do whatever it can to ease the sufferings of the people in Maldives. With the limited resources and severe restrictions of DO reporters and informant, we are working round the clock to bring to readers of DO as much information as possible regarding the crisis in the Maldives.

We call on the international community and friends of Maldives around the world to help our people today.

 

 

L. Gan Katheeb refuses to distribute food without permision from Atoll Ministry

10:37 am - Confirmed reports say that some of the food stocks in the island of Gan is still in the godown and the Katheeb of Gan has refused to distribute the food even after demands from the hungry public. Gan Hospital is packed as several from nearby islands of Mundoo were brought to the island after they had abandoned theirs.

Monaza Naeem has made contact with family in Colombo

10:36 am - Mr. Naeem has made contact with his family and is believed to be safe and well. The situation in Laamu Atoll is quite grim, especially in Mundoo and Kalhaidhoo; the death toll is rising. Everyone is helping out in the search and rescue effort.

Names of 17 dead Maldivians released by Haveeru
translated list here

IGMH hospital in Male' is crowded with injured and traumatised people from the outer islands and resorts. Male' is filling with thousands of extra people as Maldivians and tourists flee their devastated islands for the relative safety and guaranteed food supplies of the capital.


Bank of Maldives branches closed and STO rations fuel, reports Aafathis
All branches of the Bank of Maldives are closed today causing a cash shortage in the country as Maldivians begin their rescue efforts to help the outer islands. The State trading Organisation (STO) has rationed petrol from its distribution outlets. A motorbike is only allowed Mrf10 (less than US$1) of fuel at a time, and cars, pickup trucks and lorries, are rationed to Mrf50 (US$4) of petrol each purchase. Petrol sells in Male' for Mrf6.4 (50 cents US) per litre and diesel costs Mrf6.05 per litre. Diesel is mainly used by dhoanis, and this fuel is not rationed at present.


Private rescue effort starts in Male'
Frustrated by government inaction, private individuals are loading dhoanis and heading into the atolls to help Maldivians in the islands affected by the tsunamis. People are not prepared to wait for Pakistani or Indian help, and the Maldives NSS is incapable of responding to the situation.
Gayyoom is expecting Pakistani and Indian navy vessels to mount rescue and supply operations in the atolls at some time in the future.

News in brief
Maldives death toll rises - 43 dead, 63 missing and increases expected, says Haveeru in latest Dhivehi report.
The Pakistani naval vessel reportedly heading to the southern atolls after loading supplies in the capital, remains in Male' after concerns that it would be unable to offload its cargo of essential supplies when it reaches the outer islands.
Dhiffushi island in Male' atoll has been abandoned after flooding. 800 people arrived in Male' from Dhiffushi today. They are refusing to remain on their island and some of the women and children are in a serious condition. They are being accommodated in the Majeediyya school building. 
In Gaadhoo island, Gaaf Dhaalu (southern Huvadhu) atoll, seven people have been admitted to the island health centre. Their condition is unknown.

The three remaining people reported missing at  Dhonveli Beach resort have been found safe.
Meeru Island resort has been extensively damaged by the tsunamis and is without electricity. The tourists are awaiting rescuers.
Fun Island resort - no fatalities, only two minor injuries. All bungalows out of order. Severe damage on whole island. Few staff members remain. Tourists evacuated to Holiday Island.
Report of minor damage at Royal Island - no fatalities.
Paradise Island - 40% damaged. Water bungalows got a direct hit from the tsunamis. Beach bungalows and staff quarters flooded with one foot of water. Jetty insecure and ships thrown against the jetty.


Earthquake Hazards Program
US Geological Survey
Part of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Map and warnings for the eastern Indian Ocean region*
Worldwide Earthquake Activity - last 7 Days***
see also: Current global earthquake readings*


Club Med Kani updates - power in the resort is now generated by a sand-dredging machine pump generator. 80 rooms are out of use. Rooms 1-30 and 45-100 and 104-141 are still occupied. All senior staff have been working without sleep. Some tourists are using reception and the restaurant as accommodation. It is impossible to get Internet access. The management is concerned about supplies.
Holiday Island resort has not been damaged. Nearby Sun Island resort has also not been damaged.
Kandoomaa resort is 80% destroyed and the tourists have been moved to Guraidhoo island.
Minicoy island north of Maldives has not been damaged by the tsunamis, according to a DO source. 'People are safe, life is normal,' the source says. 'There were only minor problems in the southern, uninhabited area close to the lighthouse.'


Sad times for all Maldivians
Maldivians everywhere grieve not only for their own but for the many others from neighboring Sri Lanka, India and South East Asia who were the unfortunate victims of this natural calamity, which struck them unawares and left adversity in its wake.
We also grieve for the unsuspecting tourists who graced our soils and had to share this ill-fated incident with us. We collectively grieve for humanity today.
read more


Maldivians left without assistance after tsunamis
Several families in Guraidhoo island are hungry and have nowhere to sleep. Relatives in Male' are unable to get a boat to rescue them. Guraidhoo is only an hour by speedboat or about two hours by dhoani from Male'. There are many complaints from Maldivians who are disheartened by Gayyoom's government's speed and intentions. 'They dont care about us, they dont care about us, my family is dying and I can't do anything about it,' cried a resident of Male' who has a family unattended in Guraidhoo island.


37 dead and 59 missing in Maldives after tsunamis, says Maldives government
Some islands and resorts have been entirely submerged by tsunamis, Haveeru is reporting in Dhivehi. A Pakistani warship leaves Male' this morning, accompanied by NSS officers, carrying food and other supplies to the southern atolls. 
Haveeru gives details of deaths throughout Maldives after tsunamis began hitting the country on Sunday morning 26 December.
In Thaa atoll, eleven Maldivians are missing after they travelled to an uninhabited island for a picnic. In Mundoo island, Laamu atoll, two people are reported dead and seven people missing. In Fonadhoo island, Laamu atoll, there are two dead and two missing. In Maabaidhoo island, Laamu atoll, two people are missing. In Kalhaidhoo island, Laamu atoll, three people are dead and three missing.
In Naalaafushi island, Meemu atoll, a child is missing.
In Vaadhoo island on Gaaf Dhaalu (Huvadhu) atoll, one man is missing after he was last seen fishing on the reef.
In Vilufushi island, Thaa atoll, six people are dead and four people missing.

In Madifushi island, Thaa atoll, two people missing.  
In Kolhufushi island, Meemu atoll, seven people are dead and nine people missing.

Vilu Reef resort, Dhaalu atoll - 171 tourists being transferred. No power or water supply. No way of cooking for guests. Resort jetty destroyed.
Medhufushi resort, Meemu atoll - 80% tourist accommodation destroyed. 165 tourists stranded without power or water supplies. No communication. Plans are being made to transfer these tourists.


British tourist dead at White Sands Resort in Ari atoll
Peter David Weston, 47, has died in White Sands Resort, formerly known as Ari Beach, in Maldives.
Weston drowned in the flood and his passport was lost.
In some resorts, people are left without food, and some managements are considering supplying prepared food from Male'. Companies like NAMS are preparing to supply everything to their customers without any charge.


02:35 am - From Meemu atoll, Kolhufushi island - 7 people dead and 9 lost. 

More than 11,000 people are now reported to have been killed as a result of this earthquake in the region, with worst death tolls reported in Sri Lanka and millions left homeless.

Details of the fate of several Maldivians in outer atolls are still unknown as communication is hampered.

Maldives is in a state of deep shock and mourning for the people who died; the total is still unclear.

International tour operators are reported to be preparing to evacuate their guests.

Several international relief and aid organisations are expected to arrive today.

Tidal Waves in the Maldives - MDP Statement on Tidal Wave Disaster
Minivan news
The MDP deplores the fact that the government was totally unprepared for the disaster, despite the fact that the country has faced many similar incidents in the past. 
read more

 Local news in brief 

Shop Owners in Male' are on guard for looters

Reports from Male' confirm that shop and businesses are being carefully guarded tonight in order to prevent any looting. Sand bags are also being placed near the doors to stop water from getting into the shops and business premises.

Extent of Damage in Laamu Atoll

Mundoo is badly affected, people evacuated to Gan. Kalhaidhoo also severely flooded. The hospital in Gan is fully packed and patients are kept in nearby homes. Mathimaradhoo also has had severe damages to the homes. 2 children have died from Funadhoo and some women who were on the jetty at the time are missing. Still no communication to Laamu.

Tsunami waves flood Maldives; thousands unattended in more than 200 inhabited islands

More than 11,000 people are now reported to have been killed as a result of this earthquake in the region, with worst death tolls reported in Sri Lanka and millions are left homeless.

Details of the fate of several Maldivians in outer Atolls are still unknown as communication is hampered.

Maldives is in a state of deep shock and mourning for the several who died, the total is still unclear.

International Tour Operators are reported to be preparing to evacuate their guests.

Several International relief and aid organisations are expected to arrive today.

Sunday 26 December 2004

Dhivehi Observer requests President Gayyoom for the temporary lifting of the ban on the site to assist in this time of distress. Flow of information is critical in this time of need. DO has several contacts around the country and will utilise this network to contribute to the operations, however small it may be. (20:54 Male' Time)

 Breaking News 

Latest Updates >>> also read updates on Minivan News

23:36 Eriyadu Resort News - Received e-mail from dive-base on Eriyadu island resort, North-Male-Atoll a few minutes ago.The Dive-Base reported no death or heavy injured persons on the island wrote J.P. Hani, Switzerland

23:30 Guests from Soneva Fushi calls Home in France

Eric Cornaud has confirmed by an email to DO "our friends a French family in SonevaFushi resort have called France with their cellular phone. There seem to have been no serious problems on the island, people have spent the day on the beach. There might have only two bungalows with very light damages. I hope It will be good news for those indian people who wanted news."

23:07 Locals in Male' begging Gayyoom to send rescue vessels to help their family in outer Atolls

5 Coast Guard vessels are still near Male' apparently for Gayyoom's security. Relatives of those suffering unattended in outer islands are begging Gayyoom to send these vessels to those locations with food and to rescue them. These vessels can reach Laamu and Gaaufu Atoll in less than 5 hours.

22:59 - Maldives Resorts - Club Med Faru is totally out of electricity and water. No food except a few, staff area is totally damaged and it would require 3 million dollars investment to restore the resorts to operating condition. The guests and staff are using the main complex for accommodation. The resort is in the state of being closed.
Valture Kihaadhuffaru is totally out of electricity and water, except water for extremely minimum of requirements. Only two generators from the nearby island of Dharavandoo are used for power generation. All tourists as well staff are using the same facilities for accommodation and other services.
Club Med Kani has lost more than 90% of their water bungalows. No electricity until 1900hrs. The resort is under total control except few things.
All tourists in Valtur Gasfinolhu want to leave the island and move to the capital, but there is impossible to find alternative accommodation elsewhere.
 

22:31 - News from Island

Death tolls is rising - Dhaandhoo 3, Vaadhoo 2, Dhiggaru 1 kid, Gemendhoo 4 dead, Kandholhudhoo 3 dead,Dh. Ribudhoo 2 dead
Maduvvaree 7 missing and 4 now found.  
Hinnavaru 6 admitted in hospital, Thulusdhoo no electric no food, ADh Maamigili fairly intact, Muraidhoo no damage, Ga. Dhevvadhoo no damage, Komandoo 85% need assistance, Shaviani maroshi 95% need assistant, Other slands in Addu no damages reported
Aa. Mathiveri no electricity, Dhiffushi Male Atoll flooded, A Dh Mandhoo all destroyed nothing to eat, Dhiggaru no damage
kuburudhoo no electricity, Dhagenthee nothing happen.
In Meemu Atoll, Mulaku island is safe and people from other islands are going there, kolhufushi is very bad in condition most of the houses are destroyed, Madifushi 2 are missing and badly damaged
Dhaal Atoll is badly hit and most islands are without food, electricity or water

22:16 Maaufushi Prison - female prisoners are being evacuated to Male'.

Other brief News : R Kandholudhoo have been evacuated now, 3 dead in that island, no electricity, no food, water purification plat damaged, island destroyed badly.
Dhiraagu says telephone services established in H.Dh Atoll but may encounter some difficulties or problems there, All rooms flooded in Hakura Huraa Resort, In Lh Naifaru water came to the middle of the island and vessels at the harbour sank, S Hulhudoo people went to safe places but now they have returned home
In Kaashidoo there was flood water for 4 feet and no food in the island, Fun Island evacuated, LTU and other operates will evacuate their guests as soon as possible. Flights are being arranged to land as soon as airport opens.

Sonevafushi badly damaged.

20:42 Injuries : regarding today's accidents records are - IGMH 28 (14 still getting treatment) people admitted to Indhira Gandhi Hospital and 37 (11 still getting treatment) to ADK Hospital in Male' 

20:23 The country needs you help  If you can help with the rescue and recovery as well as in the huge logistical operation ahead, please go to Iskandhar School - the task force is at work there. We need all the help we can. 

20:22 Japan promises help and assistance Japanese government has announced that they will assist Maldives with search and rescue as well as in other areas. Coast Guard is now taking food to islands like K. Guraidhoo.

20:18 - Confirmed reports of a deaths in Dhaandhoo also death of a youth or a child reported in Dhigurah in Ari Atoll - these are reports from the task force office setup in Iskandar School.

20:11 Several People of Male' cut of electricity and are without food - reports coming that several families in Male' are tonight without food and electricity. Food is now being distributed by STO reports say. "some people in Male' have nothing to eat and their houses have no electricity because of the water inside the houses" said the resident of Male'.

20:02 Maldivian government playing down the disaster at the expense of people the distressed people in more than 200 islands across the nation - Mr. Sobir has given an interview  to BBC News 24 drawing a picture of calm and control when the country is experiencing the worst disaster in history. He clearly stated that there is no need for evacuating tourists whilst many island resorts have already been evacuated; he also said that communication is not lost to all islands when there is no area that can be contact including the capital island. International calls from Male' is conducted via the operators. This is not time to market tourism but to save as many lives as possible. Despite early warnings and reports of the earthquake, many believe that government did not do enough to warn the people of the aftermath of such a quake. Shops in Male' should have been closed and resorts warned of the waves said a businessman from Male' who was in tears expressing grief over the situation of the people in island. I just pray to Allah that our people survive this said the resident of Male' who said he has lost almost 50% of his stock because his shop took the brunt of the first wave to hit Male'.

20:00 Unrest in Maafushi Jail : unconfirmed reports are coming that some inmates have broken out of their cells in Maafushi jail amidst the disaster. These disturbing reports say that men have broken into womens' cells whilst others are at large in the island of Maafushi, which has also been affected by the flood.

07:04 pm - International News Services want to speak with local in resorts and Male' as well as islands, please get in touch with us asap if you can provide reliable information - email us on dhivehiobserver@gmail.com

6:22 - CNN Latest 1700 dead in Sri Lanka and more than 1000 dead in India, Indonesia more than 450 people dead, Thailand 248 killed, 3 Confirmed dead in Maldives - no reports from islands

5:55 pm: People missing in Kaafu Guraidhoo - confirmed reports say that several children and adults are missing and unaccounted for in Guraidhoo Island. The youth who went around searching for this children are also reported missing now.

5:53 pm: Flights cancelled - Tour Operators confirm that charters flights bringing tourists for New Year due to arrive tomorrow has now been cancelled.

5:43 pm: Tourists trying to catch flights back home - Confirmed reports say that several tourists who arrived to the Maldives today are stranded in the airport and trying to get a flight back home. The visionary government of Gayyoom has failed in all areas, said the business. "We are disgusted at the level of incompetence of this administration to deal with the situation. Although a natural disaster, there are logistical things that should be in place. This will hit hard on our economy. Gayyoom has been more keen to remain in power and save his kingship than be visionary and look after his people. Sappe', you should call for his immediate resignation once again, this man is not fit to govern, we blame him a lot for not helping our guests. Where is the mighty coastguard, the mighty military, where is it? No one knows what is happening to the people in the islands, no one! this is the saddest day in Maldivian history in recent times, please put these comments on your site" said a prominent businessman via satellite phone.

5:40 pm: Upcoming parliamentary elections may be delayed sources from the government reveals

5:37 pm: Information by text through satellite phone suggest situation very bad in Dhaalu Atoll - electricity is expected to be out in most islands and death toll is set to rise - those who own large vessels are urged to travel to populated islands and help rescue people

5:25 pm: *Gulhi island, South Male' Atoll: 1 year old child swept into the sea by giant wave and is missing feared drowned*
5:17 pm: *Hathifushi Sahkir, candidate for Kaafu Atoll in elections, who had been missing since this morning, found alive and well*

5:13 pm: Eboodhoo and Summer Island affected, extent of damage not known*
5:03 pm: *Sun Travel asking government to open a school for their guests in Male'* *Communications lost with Meemu Atoll* *Fulidhoo island, Vaavu Atoll: 3 houses collapsed, no reported casualties* *TVM says 5 houses collapsed in Rakeedhoo island, Vaavu Atoll*
5:02 pm: *Vilu Reef Resort, run by Sun Travels, evacuates its 190 guests*
5:01 pm: *Funadhoo, Laamu Atoll: one baby dead reported*
5:00 pm: *Mathimaradhoo critical - death toll includes children and rising, no communication
4:51 pm: ***10 REPORTED DEAD IN DHAAL ATOLL***
4:50 pm: *280 European guests in Oluveli Resort have reached airport safely*
4:30 pm: *Gayoom holds photo call in Male' street*
4:12 pm: *"No structure left standing" in Gemendhoo Island, Dhaal Atoll*
4:06 pm: *Pakistani warship heading to Maldives to help with rescue efforts*
3:54 pm: *Maldives Airport Authority says it will try and have airport ready for take-offs by 6pm local time*
15:57 Maldives - Several resort divers are unaccounted for, according to sources. Tourists are particularly interested in swimming and sunbathing around the time of the morning when the tsunamis struck. They should have had a warning, say the informants.
Maldives Airport, the only way out of Maldives, is now closed, the whole nation is stranded. The fate of people in the remote islands is completely unknown.

Thousands of people have died along the shores of the eastern Indian Ocean after a series of severe earthquakes near Sumatra and the Andaman islands caused tsunamis in many coastal areas.
The Maldives government spokesman Ahmed Shaheed has told the BBC World Service that deaths of islanders and tourists have occurred due to the tsunamis that hit the country without warning this morning. He did not give any details.
DO is also receiving unconfirmed reports of deaths of Maldive islanders and tourists.
Basic food, stored by STO at its warehouse in the southwest of Male', has been ruined by flooding to a depth of two feet. Thousands of bags of rice, flour and sugar have been ruined by seawater. 
Another large tsunami has hit Bentota in Sri Lanka and is expected to reach Maldives within an hour. Unconfirmed reports claim Rakeedhoo island on Vaavu atoll has suffered serious damage from tsunamis and two or three houses have been destroyed. The reports claim that MIFCO vessels are evacuating islanders.
In the capital, the north eastern Male' harbour area nearly drained out before the waves arrived, and passenger dhoanis avoided damage by riding out the waves in the lagoon as the tsunamis hit. The Male' seawall has been damaged on the northeastern and northern sides.  
Gayyoom is appearing on TV Maldives and appealing for calm as tsunami waves sweep the country after at least ten earthquakes in the eastern Indian Ocean near Sumatra and the Andaman islands. The Maldives president, who disappeared from view when the waves first struck Male' this morning, is being shown wading through water as he visits flood-affected areas.
Many eastern Indian Ocean littoral regions have been affected by tsunamis, and the death toll is at least 200 people and expected to rise. In Maldives, a tourist is reported to have died after suffering a heart attack as the waves hit his resort.

In Minicoy island, just north of Maldives, a weak wave hit Minicoy island 100 km North of Thuraakunu Island. No damage is reported.
In Sri Lanka, the BBC has an eyewitness account from its reporter Roland Buerk who was swept from his hotel room by a tsunami this morning. 

11:45 Travel Warning Announced - Local media is announcing travel warnings. Public is upset because they had no indication of any of this happening. Local MET office issued no warnings of flood which began three hours after the earthquake. Public confidence in the government is at an all time low, especially with the administration's inability to warn us and then provide adequate rescue plans and services. Guests and people are stuck and there is no way to get them treatment or any service.