This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7020319.stm
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Seven arrested over Maldives bomb | |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Seven Maldives nationals have been arrested in connection with a bomb blast in the islands which left 12 tourists injured, local police said. | |
| Two Britons, two Japanese and eight Chinese tourists were hurt by the bomb in a park in the capital Male. | Two Britons, two Japanese and eight Chinese tourists were hurt by the bomb in a park in the capital Male. |
| The injured British couple have been named as Christian Donelan, originally from Rotherham, and his wife Jennifer, whose maiden name is Green. | The injured British couple have been named as Christian Donelan, originally from Rotherham, and his wife Jennifer, whose maiden name is Green. |
| The Maldives Police Service said forensic tests were being carried out. | The Maldives Police Service said forensic tests were being carried out. |
| Mohamed Shareef, a government spokesman, said: "Police have arrested seven men based on forensic evidence and now they have been named suspects. | |
| "Some of them were trying to flee the country and were apprehended at the airport." | |
| He said that all the men arrested were Maldivian nationals, and added that police were still searching for other suspects. | |
| 'Burns and cuts' | 'Burns and cuts' |
| Local media said a mobile phone and washing machine motor attached to a gas cylinder triggered the bomb - reported to have been homemade. | Local media said a mobile phone and washing machine motor attached to a gas cylinder triggered the bomb - reported to have been homemade. |
| This is the first time a bomb has exploded in the Maldives. | This is the first time a bomb has exploded in the Maldives. |
| It is not yet clear who was behind the attack, or what the intended target was. | It is not yet clear who was behind the attack, or what the intended target was. |
| This is the first time a bomb has exploded in the Maldives | This is the first time a bomb has exploded in the Maldives |
| Mr and Mrs Donelan, aged 36 and 31, live in the Gulf state of Qatar and were thought to have been on their honeymoon after marrying in Italy two weeks ago. | Mr and Mrs Donelan, aged 36 and 31, live in the Gulf state of Qatar and were thought to have been on their honeymoon after marrying in Italy two weeks ago. |
| Mr Donelan is a keen sportsman who has played hockey for Rotherham's main club, according to reports in the Sunday Telegraph. | Mr Donelan is a keen sportsman who has played hockey for Rotherham's main club, according to reports in the Sunday Telegraph. |
| He has had surgery to treat leg and arm burns. | He has had surgery to treat leg and arm burns. |
| Mrs Donelan suffered from more severe injuries, but both have been able to speak to friends and relatives by phone. | Mrs Donelan suffered from more severe injuries, but both have been able to speak to friends and relatives by phone. |
| The newspaper quoted Mr Donelan's friend Tim Bulleyment as saying: "Christian sounded really rough but he said he was lucky to be alive." | The newspaper quoted Mr Donelan's friend Tim Bulleyment as saying: "Christian sounded really rough but he said he was lucky to be alive." |
| It is thought they were staying on Baros - one of 87 designated tourist islands in the Maldives. | It is thought they were staying on Baros - one of 87 designated tourist islands in the Maldives. |
| Mr Shareef confirmed 12 people had received burn injuries and said the victims were in a stable condition. He said the British nationals had suffered the most serious injuries. | |
| Police officers have been investigating the bomb site | Police officers have been investigating the bomb site |
| "The Maldives has never had something like this before. We are taking this very seriously because tourism is our life blood," he said. | "The Maldives has never had something like this before. We are taking this very seriously because tourism is our life blood," he said. |
| Ahmed Afaal, managing director of the ADK Hospital in Male where the two injured Britons are being treated, said: "The female has got first degree and second degree burns covering up to 40% of her body. And the male has got 27% burns." | Ahmed Afaal, managing director of the ADK Hospital in Male where the two injured Britons are being treated, said: "The female has got first degree and second degree burns covering up to 40% of her body. And the male has got 27% burns." |
| A spokeswoman for Universal Resorts, which owns hotels complexes in the Maldives, said 10 of those injured, including the Britons, were staying with them. | A spokeswoman for Universal Resorts, which owns hotels complexes in the Maldives, said 10 of those injured, including the Britons, were staying with them. |
| Army headquarters | Army headquarters |
| She said: "As far as we are aware Universal Resorts have a total of 10 guests who were injured, two of whom were UK citizens that actually live in Qatar. | She said: "As far as we are aware Universal Resorts have a total of 10 guests who were injured, two of whom were UK citizens that actually live in Qatar. |
| "Those two guests are being taken care of in the hospital in Male and are with Universal Resorts staff. | "Those two guests are being taken care of in the hospital in Male and are with Universal Resorts staff. |
| "They have requested that they would like to go back to Qatar as soon as possible." | "They have requested that they would like to go back to Qatar as soon as possible." |
| The two other injured tourists, who were not guests of Universal Resorts, are believed to be from Japan. | The two other injured tourists, who were not guests of Universal Resorts, are believed to be from Japan. |
| A Foreign Office official is flying to the Maldives to provide consular assistance. The Foreign Office does not have staff permanently based in the Maldives. | A Foreign Office official is flying to the Maldives to provide consular assistance. The Foreign Office does not have staff permanently based in the Maldives. |
| A witness reported seeing scattered nails after the blast. | A witness reported seeing scattered nails after the blast. |
| The park is in the shadow of the Maldives army headquarters and several surveillance cameras are trained on the area. | The park is in the shadow of the Maldives army headquarters and several surveillance cameras are trained on the area. |
| More than 600,000 tourists visited the Maldives last year, and the tourist industry is the linchpin of the country's economy. | More than 600,000 tourists visited the Maldives last year, and the tourist industry is the linchpin of the country's economy. |
| The Muslim country has a reputation for tranquillity and the capital has not witnessed gunfire or explosions since an attempted coup in 1988. | The Muslim country has a reputation for tranquillity and the capital has not witnessed gunfire or explosions since an attempted coup in 1988. |
Are you in the area? Have you, or anyone you know, been affected? Send us your comments and accounts using the form below. | Are you in the area? Have you, or anyone you know, been affected? Send us your comments and accounts using the form below. |
| You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 (0)7725 100 100 | You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 (0)7725 100 100 |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |
| When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |