qatar couple on honeymoon badly injured in maldives bomb blast
Two men from the Maldives have been arrested in connection with the bomb blast which injured 12 tourists.
British couple Christian and Jennifer Donelan were among the casualties of the explosion in the capital, Male.
Maldives government spokesman Mohamed Shareef said that police arrested the suspects hours after the blast, but no motive has been established yetMr and Mrs Donelan, who live in Qatar, were thought to have been on honeymoon. They had been staying on Baros, one of 87 designated tourist islands in the ocean chain that welcome thousands of Britons each year.
Maldives government spokesman Mohamed Shareef said that police arrested the suspects hours after the blast, but no motive has been established yet.
All except the British couple, who have sustained 40 per cent burn injuries, were discharged from hospital and immediately sent home.
Mr Shareef said it was too early to say whether the bomb targeted the tourism industry or was the work of Islamic militants.
Mr Donelan, originally from Rotherham, has undergone surgery to treat burns to his arms and legs.
His wife, whose maiden name is Green, suffered more serious burns but both are conscious and able to speak to friends and family by phone.
Mr Donelan's friend Tim Bulleyment said: "Christian sounded really rough but he said he was lucky to be alive."
The couple, both thought to be aged in their 30s, married in Italy just two weeks ago before their honeymoon in the Maldives, it was reported.
They had been coming to the end of their holiday when the device exploded near a park in Male, which is on a separate island from Baros.
If confirmed as a terrorist attack it brings the spectre of terrorism to a country that has been peaceful up until now.
They were on the last day of their honeymoon, they got married two weeks ago. Luckily most of Jenny's burns were on her hands, and they were second degree, so she should recover completely. She was wearing long pants and shirt and that protected most of her. I still can't believe it happened. :(
"I fight with love and I laugh with rage, you have to live light enough to see the humor and long enough to see some change." Ani Difranco
that is so sad
lets hope they are receiving the best medical treatment and that they recover soon.
yes its very sad. its been on local new here alot. he was very big on hockey so i bet he was a member in doha
Sad to hear. May almighty allah bless them a complete recovery soon.