Two British men have drowned in separate incidents this week while holidaying in the Maldives, according to reports.
A 46-year-old man reportedly died while diving at the popular Hammerhead Shark Point off the coast of the atoll of Rasdhoo on Monday just after 9am.
He was taken to a hospital in Rasdhoo but was pronounced dead on arrival.
A second British national, aged 65, drowned in waters off the coast of Rasdhoo at around 10.30am on Tuesday, it is being reported.
He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Alif Alif Atoll hospital on the island.
The UK Foreign Office has been approached for comment.
Rasdhoo is a diving hotspot in the Indian Ocean known for its spectacular marine life, vibrant reefs and warm water. It is also the capital of the Alif Alif Atoll administrative division.
Situated 60 km west of the country’s capital, Malé, Rasdhoo is the only inhabited island of a small natural atoll and has a number of hotels, restaurants and bars.
Diving at Hammerhead Shark Point is encouraged in the early morning, if marine enthusiasts want the best chance of spotting the unique shark species.
The area is situated in front of Madivaru, although the sharks can be encountered as far south as Kuramathi, east and in front of Rasdhoo.
In January 2019 five drownings in one week prompted tourism officials in the Maldives to issue a warning to holidaymakers.
The deaths included a couple on their honeymoon.
In 2017, Dublin man Andrew Roddy, 30, drowned while swimming with dolphins with his wife during their honeymoon. In 2011, Briton Sharon Duval drowned as she swam.
The Foreign Office advises British travellers that most visits to the Maldives are “trouble free”.
Advice on the Government website states: “The most common problems faced by visiting British nationals are lost and stolen passports, and swimming and diving related accidents.”
