In late January 2026, a Bangladeshi migrant worker employed at a waste site on Thilafushi in the Maldives was struck by an excavator and carried beneath piles of debris, where he suffocated and died. He was employed by the state-owned Waste Management Corporation (WAMCO).

Reports indicate that WAMCO did not file a missing person’s report for two days after the incident. Authorities later arrested the excavator operator on manslaughter charges. The case raised serious concerns about workplace safety and delayed reporting by the company.

Following a separate accident involving a Maldivian worker, the Human Rights Commission announced an urgent investigation into occupational safety and health protocols at WAMCO, citing “recurring workplace injuries.”

News outlet Adhadhu subsequently submitted a Right to Information (RTI) request seeking clarification on the delay in contacting police. In response, WAMCO stated that the Maldives Police Service had asked the corporation not to disclose information while the investigation was ongoing.

“Your request for clarification regarding this incident is related to an ongoing investigation by the Maldives Police Service and the agency has asked the corporation not to share any information,” WAMCO said.