News Flash / Ministry of Foreign Affairs Issues Travel Alert – Maldives Raised to Yellow

▲The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has raised the travel alert level for the Maldives to yellow. (Photo / Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Affairs Bureau website)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

On the afternoon of the 4th, the Indian Ocean island nation of the Maldives suddenly announced a nationwide state of emergency lasting 30 days.In the evening, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a message on its website, raising the country’s travel alert level to yellow, which stands for “pay special attention to travel safety and reconsider whether to travel.”The public who have already purchased related travel arrangements may wish to reconsider carefully; if you have family or friends stranded there needing assistance, you may also call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ office in India.

Since September, the domestic security and political situation in the country has also turned red, with President Yameen traveling to Saudi Arabia for a pilgrimage.Upon returning on September 28, he was taking a yacht from the airport to return to the capital, Malé, when unexpectedly the yacht exploded.Among those injured were the First Lady, a bodyguard, and an assistant, but fortunately the president was unharmed. However, the incident led to the arrest of Vice President Adeeb and three soldiers, who were identified as being involved in an assassination attempt.

Just as the yacht explosion incident had not yet completely subsided,on November 3, a bomb was discovered in the parking lot north of the presidential palace in Malé.Inside a white truck, explosives and a remote control device were found attached to a battery. After evacuating surrounding residents, the military detonated the device remotely to defuse the crisis. But it was later revealed that a large amount of military equipment had been stolen from the Maldives national arsenal, including numerous explosives detonators as well as several handguns and rifles.

On the 3rd, President Yameen publicly stated that someone was “insatiably greedy” and attempting to seize power, adding that he would take all measures to safeguard security. At the same time, police blocked multiple streets and deployed a large number of officers on patrol, creating a tense atmosphere. On the 4th, Yameen officially announced that the country faced a security threat and declared a nationwide state of emergency for 30 days.

%颊ǖ?写滩欢希?矶??蜃芡逞敲判?冀?虢艏弊刺?0天。（图／达志影像／美联社）

The full text of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs travel alert is as follows:

The President of the Maldives (Republic of Maldives) announced on the 4th of this month (104) that the country has entered a state of emergency. According to relevant reports, the authorities cited national security concerns and aimed to prevent anti-government gatherings and protests. Those who must travel should pay attention to personal safety, avoid crowded events such as assemblies and demonstrations, and stay informed about local media reports on terrorist attacks to ensure their own safety.

If nationals in the Maldives require emergency assistance, please proactively call our emergency contact numbers: the office in India at 91-9810-502-610, the office in Chennai at 91-99621-49906, or ask relatives or friends in Taiwan to call the toll-free “Emergency Service Hotline for Taiwanese Abroad” at 0800-085-095 to notify the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Emergency Contact Center, so that assistance can be provided promptly.