Housing Minister Dr. Abdulla Muhthalib has stated that the Sinamalé Bridge sustained no structural damage in last night’s incident.

Last night, an oil barge and a tugboat under the custody of Customs collided with the Sinamalé Bridge. In a post on “X,” the Minister said that following the incident, the Chinese company that built the bridge, Second Harbour Engineering Company (SHEC), carried out inspections of the bridge last night and today.

“Alhamdulillah, the bridge has sustained no structural damage — only some scratches,” the Minister said. He added that the scratches on the bridge will be examined, and under the monitoring, inspection, and maintenance arrangement in place with SHEC through China’s grant aid, the company will carry out the repairs in accordance with the appropriate standards.

Furthermore, the Minister said that as a measure to prepare for such incidents, Maldives Ports Limited (MPL) has now begun the process of acquiring two powerful tugboats capable of restraining vessels that go out of control before they collide with the bridge or any other structure. He expressed hope that these tugboats will be obtained within the next two months.