The Island Council of Gaafu Dhaalu Fiyooree says 9-year-old Mariyam Minal who went missing on the island yesterday was found in an abandoned house which was searched twice during her search and rescue operation.
The whole island was in an uproar when she was reported missing around 5:30 in the evening with Police launching the search operation as soon as possible.
However, the little girl was found later in the evening.
Fiyori Island Council Member Mohamed Shumath told the 'Press' that Minal is known to leave her home alone whenever she gets upset and goes out to play outside alone but always returns at 6:00 in the evening.
Noting that Minal's father works at the island council, Shahumath said that her family began searching for her when she didn't return home yesterday and alerted the authorities when they could not find her alone.
He highlighted that residents of the island and officials from the Council joined the search and that the girl was found between 10:30 and 11:00 at night.
Shaumath recounted that the search parties covered the whole island in groups and they found the missing girl in an abandoned house not far from her home. He said the search parties entered the abandoned house after they heard some noises coming from the house and that the house is enclosed behind a 6ft wall which would be difficult to climb.
The Councillor said that the house's front door was kept unlocked and that she might have entered the house alone. The girl was found lying collapsed in the small space between the outer and inner walls of the house.
Shahumath said though Minal was found unconscious, her rescuers were able to rouse her easily, and was rushed to the hospital for treatment. He also said that she was later released from the hospital.
Highlighting that the girl did not show any signs of injury or trauma, Shaumath said that the girl had now been taken to a hospital on nearby Thinadhoo for more tests as per the procedure.
He added that there was no reason to be suspicious of any foul play and that the girl herself had not spoken about such suspicions
