China sends more fresh water to thirsty Maldives

China has offered another 65 tonnes of fresh water to the Maldives via civil airplane, the Foreign Ministry announced Monday.

The fresh water was donated by the Chinese government and the Chinese businesses in Sri Lanka and the Maldives, which have already sent 20 tonnes of fresh water via civil airplane to the archipelago, the ministry said in a statement.

A fire at the Maldives Water and Sewage Company Thursday damaged some of the company's equipment and forced suspension of water supplies to about 150,000 residents of Male, capital of the Maldives.

A Chinese navy rescue vessel shipped nearly 700 tonnes of fresh water to Male Sunday night and the desalination facility on board helped with shortage.

Two planes with the Chinese Air Force flew 40 tonnes of fresh water to Male Monday.

China will continue assist the Maldives until their fresh water situation is remedied, the ministry statement added.