NEW DELHI: A 14-year-old boy tragically died after Maldives president Mohammed Muizzu allegedly denied permission to use a Dornier plane from India.

The boy, from Wilmington, a remote island in Gaaf Alif Villingili, needed to be shifted to the capital city in Malé for treatment. The family even requested the government to provide immediate medical assistance.

A Dornier aircraft manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is being used as an air ambulance in the Maldives. The boy suffered a concussion earlier on Wednesday night as an effect of a brain tumour he was diagnosed with. The family requested an air ambulance to take him to Malé, the capital of Maldives. For 16 long hours, the government under Muizzu denied permission for the boy to be carried in an Indian-made aircraft. Later the government gave permission considering the critical condition of the boy, but it proved to be of no help as the boy died on the journey.

“ We called Island Aviation to take our son to Malé immediately after he had a stroke. But they did not answer. The government answered back only on Thursday at 8:30 am” said the boy’s father.

Meanwhile, Asandha Company Limited, which is in charge of medical evacuation, said that the procedure was started as soon as the application was received and the delay was due to a last-minute technical glitch. A large protest is taking place outside the hospital over the boy's death. It is also alleged that the air ambulance was not allowed due to the intervention of the President.

Maldives and India have soured their relationship after PM Modi visited Lakshadweep island last month, which received brickbats and abuse from Maldivian MPs coming from Mohammed Muizzu’s party. Maldives in the recent past has also been seen leaning closely with China and wants to untangle itself from India’s protective blanket.