Maldives bomb blast injures two Britons

Two Britons have been injured in a bomb blast outside a popular tourist park in the Maldives.

At least 12 tourists were wounded when the home-made device exploded about 2.30pm in Male, the Maldives capital.

The British Foreign Office confirmed two British tourists were among the wounded. They were reported to have suffered severe burns, but their injuries were not life threatening.
Two Japanese and six Chinese tourists were also injured. All are believed to be from the Full Moon, Baros and Soneva resorts.

Mohamed Shareef, a Maldives government spokesman, said the blast occurred near the main gate of Sultan Park, a popular garden housing the Maldives national museum.

He said it was the first explosion on the popular holiday archipelago in the Indian Ocean.

"The Maldives has never had something like this before. We are taking this very seriously because tourism is our life blood," Mr Shareef said.

"The two British nationals seem to have suffered more than the others. They suffered extensive burn injuries and are all being treated at the government hospital in Male. They're not critical but we are conducting a full investigation." read more