11 killed, including 8 Indians, in huge Maldives fire; relief work ongoing
As many as 11 people, including eight Indians, were reportedly killed in a massive fire in Male, the capital city of Maldives, Thursday.
The bodies were recovered from the upper floor of a building that houses migrant workers, said news agency AFP quoting officials. It said that the fire appears to have originated from a vehicle repair garage on the ground floor of the burned structure. A fire department official said that it took four hours to put out the blaze.
Correction and update: 10 people died due to the fire happened in the ‘M. Niru Fehi’ located on Koaru Ken’di Magu in the Male’ city, Maldives. https://t.co/sWpygz01dk pic.twitter.com/kO7Sfs7wV4
— Zidhan Riyaz (@liyaakujjaa) November 10, 2022
Meanwhile, the Indian High Commission said that there are reports of Indian nationals among those killed.
“We are deeply saddened the tragic fire incident in Malé which has caused loss of lives, including reportedly of Indian nationals. We are in close contact with the Maldivian authorities,” it said on Twitter.
We are deeply saddened the tragic fire incident in Malé which has caused loss of lives, including reportedly of Indian nationals.
We are in close contact with the Maldivian authorities.
For any assance, HCI can be reached on following numbers:+9607361452 ; +9607790701
— India in Maldives (@HCIMaldives) November 10, 2022
The High Commission added that they can be reached at +9607361452 or +9607790701 for assance.
The National Disaster Management Authority of Maldives said that an evacuation centre has been set up in a near stadium.
“NDMA has established an evacuation center in Maafannu Stadium for those displaced and affected the fire in Male’. Arrangements are being made to provide relief assance and support,” it said in a tweet.
