Maldives to Evacuate Injured Woman to Malaysia for Treatment After Nine-Story Fall

Male’ — A 21-year-old woman who suffered catastrophic injuries after plunging from the ninth floor of a building in the capital is being prepared for emergency medical evacuation to Malaysia, with government officials confirming that the cost will be covered by the state.

The woman, Hawa Yumnu Rasheed, was found early Friday morning on the roof of a warehouse adjacent to a residential building in Henveiru district. The National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) is coordinating a charter flight for her transfer, according to her family, though the specific hospital in Malaysia has not been disclosed.

“They’ve been incredibly supportive,” a family member told local media, praising the NSPA’s role in facilitating urgent medical care.

In the days following the incident, authorities arrested Raud Ahmed Zilal, 21, who was with Yumnu the night she fell. According to court documents, the two had argued shortly before the fall.

Zilal faces a range of allegations, including suspicion of sexual assault, intoxication, and involvement in the circumstances surrounding the fall. He was taken into custody six days after the incident after initially refusing to cooperate with investigators, police said.

Video footage reviewed by police reportedly shows Zilal and Yumnu engaging in sexual activity on a stairwell before entering an apartment together. Only Zilal is seen exiting later. A subsequent urine test revealed cannabis in his system, though court records show no prior criminal record.

When questioned, Zilal allegedly told police he did not know what happened to Yumnu and assumed she had fallen. Police said the explanation raised more questions than it answered.

The Criminal Court ordered Zilal held in custody for five days as the investigation continues. Authorities noted he was not immediately granted access to legal counsel but would be allowed to respond more fully after consulting a lawyer.

Police have also seized passports and mobile phones from seven individuals linked to the case and conducted searches of apartments believed to be tied to what is suspected was a drug-fueled party at a well-known residence.

Details remain murky, and the lack of clarity has ignited public outcry. For three consecutive nights, Gen Z protesters gathered outside the police sub headquarters in Malé, demanding transparency and swift accountability.

Police have appealed for public patience, while the commissioner has pledged a “full and impartial” investigation.

The case has touched a raw nerve in the Maldives, where growing anxieties around youth drug use, sexual violence, and the perceived sluggishness of the justice system often remain in the shadows. This time, they have burst into the open.

As investigators piece together what happened, one question continues to haunt the capital: Was it a tragic fall — or something far more sinister?