Pilots Dive Into Sea to Rescue Passengers After TMA Seaplane Incident at Velana International Airport

Pilots and cabin crew of a Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA) seaplane dove into the sea without hesitation to rescue passengers and fishermen after the aircraft tilted and began to drift at Velana International Airport (VIA) yesterday. The incident occurred at 2:25 pm while TMA's De Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter aircraft, registration number 8Q-TAL, was being operated toward the platform of VIA's water aerodrome. According to reports, one of the aircraft's pontoons burst, became detached or came off, causing the aircraft to lose control, tilt to one side and begin drifting. A video that became public on social media shows the employees in uniform diving into the sea without delay, swimming toward the aircraft and helping those on board. A young fisherman working on the jetty at the time was caught between the aircraft and the jetty and was injured. He was rescued and taken to Tree Top Hospital for treatment. A cabin crew member is being treated in a ventilator. All passengers and fishermen on board were safely disembarked from the aircraft, and no passenger was injured. According to Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL), the company's Airport Emergency Services immediately went to the area and provided assistance, and after taking necessary safety measures, seaplane operations were continued. TMA said the cause of the incident is being investigated. Mauroof Mohamed, who shared the video on social media, thanked the employees affectingly, writing that tears flowed from his eyes and his heart filled with pride upon seeing those in uniform diving into the sea to save passengers and members of their own team. He noted that in that terrifying moment, the employees did not pause to think about their own selves, and that every person they tried to save is someone's child, father, relative or friend. He said the courage shown by those employees will always be remembered.