Three victims – two Chinese tourists and one Australian man – were stabbed on 4 February on the Maldivian island of Hulhumale but are now in a stable condition in hospital.

Sky has reported extremists associated with the so-called Islamic State have posted a video online to claim responsibility for the incident. 

However, local police held a press conference about the incident yesterday evening (6 February) and said they are still verifying the video.

An Islamic State recruiter in the Maldives was arrested last year after the group took responsibility for the Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka.

The Foreign Office has urged any Britons in, or travelling to, the Maldives to be vigilant.

“On 6 February, the Maldives police confirmed the arrest of three people in relation to a knife attack on foreign residents in Hulhumale. The attack was claimed by an extremist group. You should remain vigilant.”