By India Blooms News Service Nov 10, 2022
Male: At least nine Indians have been killed and several others injured after a fire engulfed a building where foreign workers were staying in Male, the capital of Maldives, media reports said.
So far, ten bodies were recovered from the upper floor of the building charred in the fire that originated from a ground-floor vehicle repair garage, AFP reported.
The blaze was put off by the firefighters after battling for nearly four hours, the report said.
We have found 10 bodies, a fire service official told AFP.
Deadliest fire tragedy in the #Maldives. 11 dead bodies found so far. Reportedly all are migrant workers, packed in an overcrowded accommodation above a garage in the capital Male City. pic.twitter.com/Y9FhKSnDkz
Save Maldives (@SaveMaldivess) November 10, 2022
The Indian High Commission in Maldives has expressed sorrow over the tragic incident and said they were in close contact with the local authorities.
We are deeply saddened by the tragic fire incident in Mal which has caused loss of lives, including reportedly of Indian nationals, the high commission said in a tweet.
We are deeply saddened by the tragic fire incident in Mal which has caused loss of lives, including reportedly of Indian nationals. We are in close contact with the Maldivian authorities. For any assistance, HCI can be reached on following numbers: +9607361452 ; +9607790701
India in Maldives (@HCIMaldives) November 10, 2022
Male has a significant number of foreign workers mostly from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, comprising nearly half of the citys 2,50,000-strong population.
Reports said foreign workers live in poor conditions, and this came to light during the Covid pandemic when the infection spread three times faster among than the local residents.
Meanwhile, an evacuation centre has been set up in a nearby stadium, said National Disaster Management Authority of Maldives.
NDMA has established an evacuation center in Maafannu Stadium for those displaced and affected by the fire in Male. Arrangements are being made to provide relief assistance and support, it said in a tweet.
NDMA has established an evacuation center in Maafannu Stadium for those displaced and affected by the fire in Male. Arrangements are being made to provide relief assistance and support.
NDMA Maldives (@NDMAmv) November 10, 2022