A 39-year-old Maldivian woman has died after developing breathing difficulties while participating in a sea safety programme in V. Fulidhoo, with Police investigating the circumstances surrounding her death.
The incident occurred on Tuesday during a sea safety class jointly organised by Fulidhoo Police and V. Atoll School for students, teachers and parents.
According to Police, participants were taking a break from the water-based activities when the woman began experiencing difficulty breathing while making her way back to shore.
Police were informed of the incident at around 4:30 pm.
The woman was immediately taken to Fulidhoo Health Centre for medical attention, where efforts were made to treat her condition.
The Health Centre later informed Police that she had died at approximately 6:14 pm while receiving treatment.
Police have so far identified the deceased only as a 39-year-old Maldivian woman. Her name has not been publicly released.
Following her death, the body was transported from Fulidhoo to Malé for a medical examination at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).
After the examination was completed, the body was released to her family late Tuesday night.
Authorities have not announced a cause of death, and Police said further inquiries into the incident are underway.
The woman had been taking part in a programme organised for the V. Atoll School community when she became unwell.
Sea safety programmes conducted in island communities typically focus on improving awareness of risks associated with the ocean and developing practical knowledge on how to respond safely to incidents in the water.
Such awareness is particularly relevant in the Maldives, where the sea is closely connected to everyday life, transport and recreational activities across island communities.
Police regularly work with schools and local communities on safety and awareness programmes as part of community policing activities, with individual stations conducting sessions tailored to issues affecting their respective islands.
In this case, however, Police have not indicated that the woman’s death resulted from drowning or an accident in the water.
Further details, including the circumstances that led to her breathing difficulties and the cause of death, have not been disclosed while the inquiry remains ongoing.
