Maldives: Ten killed in Male fire, Indian nationals reportedly among dead

@the_news_21

Nearly 10 people were killed and many injured on Thursday when a fire spread in the lodging of foreign labourers in Male, Maldives capital city, stated reports.

Indian nationals were reportedly among the dead.

In a tweet, the Indian High Commission said, “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”.

The fire broke out in M. Nirufehi area near the Maaveyo Mosque around 12:30 am, according to news portal SunOnline international.

The garage is located on the ground floor, while the first-floor houses migrant workers.

The quarters had only ventilation a single window, the report said.

The Maldives National Defence Force Fire and Rescue Service said that 28 people were evacuated out of the building, while nine people were reported missing.

Seven of them were found dead, while two were taken to Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital with severe burns, the report said.

Firefighters later recovered two more bodies from the building.

The fire was doused at 04:34 am, the report added.

Foreign workers constitute about half of Male’s 250,000-strong population, who are mostly from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.