Popular luxury liveaboard Emperor Explorer has been destroyed by fire in the Maldives while moored near Hulhumalé, the reclaimed island adjacent to Velana International Airport and a common embarkation point for Maldives liveaboards.
Passengers and crew were on board when the fire broke out, but everyone was safely evacuated. No serious injuries have been reported, although reports in local Maldives media say that two crew members were taken to hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation.
Eyewitnesses said the fire was quick to spread, and people were seen jumping into the water from Emperor Explorer as thick black smoke engulfed the vessel and its surroundings.
The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) said firefighters from the Hulhumalé fire station were deployed to combat the blaze, but the liveaboard sustained catastrophic damage.
Emperor posted a statement on social media confirming the Emperor Explorer’s loss:
Emperor Group confirms that its liveaboard vessel Emperor Explorer was lost following a fire in the Maldives on Saturday 9 May.
All guests and crew were evacuated safely and have since been transferred to sister vessel Emperor Serenity, where they are being cared for. No injuries have been reported.
‘Our priority is the safety and wellbeing of everyone on board, and we are profoundly grateful that all guests and crew are safe and well,’ Alexander Bryant, CEO of Emperor Group, said.
‘We are now focused on supporting our guests and crew.’
The “Emperor Explorer”, a 42-metre diving safari vessel, has caught fire off the coast of Hulhumalé. MNDF Fire & Rescue and Police are on scene. Two crew members hospitalised after smoke inhalation. Crew seen jumping overboard to safety.
— Adhadhu (@AdhadhuMV) May 9, 2026
📄 https://t.co/8uHNN35ExH pic.twitter.com/EHwqvOjQpi
Emperor Explorer was due to be retired from service at the end of this month, following the launch of Emperor Explorer II in April, which is scheduled to start service in August.
The vessel is the third Maldives liveaboard to be destroyed by fire in 18 months, following the loss of Yasawa Princess in December 2025, and Blue Voyager in 2024.
The latest incident also follows just over a year since the loss of Emperor Seven Seas, which was destroyed by fire while moored at Port Ghalib in the Egyptian Red Sea in March 2025.
At the time of publishing, no information has been provided as to the source of the fire on board Emperor Explorer. The MNDF said that an investigation has already begun.
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