Fresh from his summit in Beijing, the US president warned against a formal declaration of independence by the island.

Eight people were injured, four seriously, before passers-by gave chase and stopped the man.

President Donald Trump said the operation eliminated "the most active terrorist in the world", Abu-Bilal al-Minuki.

Staff Sgt Mohamed Mahdhee died while diving in the search-and-rescue operation, the Maldives government tells the BBC.

Wildlife experts had previous criticised the operation, saying it would only cause the animal more distress.

Charges could come as soon as next week in a case reportedly focused on Cuba's downing of two planes in 1996.