Just hours earlier, music filled the air as tourists gathered aboard one of Maafushi's most popular floating bars. Under the glow of lights reflecting off the sea, visitors enjoyed another lively night on the safari vessel anchored just off the island.

By sunrise, that familiar landmark had disappeared.

In a matter of minutes on Friday morning, the safari vessel was torn apart after rough seas and strong winds caused its anchor to give way.

Unable to withstand the force of the weather, the vessel broke free from its mooring and drifted towards the outer breakwater of Maafushi Harbour. It crashed into the harbour's sea wall before being pushed onto the reef, where powerful waves ripped it apart within about 10 minutes.

The dramatic incident unfolded before the eyes of onlookers, with videos on social media showing the vessel being battered by waves as it rapidly disintegrated.

Police said six people were on board when the vessel broke free. All were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported.

For years, the safari had been a familiar sight off Maafushi, operating as a floating bar and welcoming tourists every evening. In just a few minutes, it went from being one of the island's busiest nightlife attractions to a pile of wreckage scattered across the reef—a stark reminder of how quickly the sea can change during severe weather in the Maldives.