Male: Ten people died in a building where Sri Lankan, Indian and Bangladeshi migrant workers live in of Male, early on November 10.
Maldives foreign minister Abdulla Shahid, meanwhile, tweeted at 1:14 pm that nine Indians and one Bangladeshi national were dead. Later, he deleted the tweet and wrote instead that “10 expatriate workers” were dead and several families affected.
At 4:44 pm, the Indian High Commission in the Maldives said that the country’s authorities had “confirmed” the loss of 10 lives in the fore. “The process of identification of the deceased is ongoing,” a tweet said.
The Maldives National Defence Force, too, has said that 10 bodies have been found on the premises.
The High Commission of India at Maldives has expressed sadness at the tragic fire, acknowledging reports on the loss of Indian lives. It has opened helpline numbers for assistance and has tweeted that their offices are in touch with Maldivian authorities.
A diplomatic source had earlier told The Wire that there were Indian nationals among the victims but identification is still underway.
The Sun outlet has reported authorities as having said that the identification of bodies is proving difficult due to the fact that they are severely burned.
The report said that the fire broke out in a garage at the M. Nirufehi locality, near the Maaveyo Mosque, at around 12:30 am on Thursday.
“The garage is located on the ground floor, while the first-floor houses cramped living quarters for migrant workers – the only ventilation – a single window,” the report said.
AVAS reports that around “18 foreigners lived in the building,” according to accounts from neighbours. The house has 10 rooms on two floors, the report says.
An estimated 15 people who live in the building remain missing, Sun has reported.
The Edition reported that the accommodation was described as a “pigeon block” by neighbours and locals. It describes the chaos as relatives struggled to identify the bodies.
“It has been two years since my sibling arrived in Male’ for work. Met them even yesterday, and they lived in that building,” an Indian woman said, according to the report. “I have checked the stadium as well. They are not answering the phone,” she said.
Another Indian woman at the site said she was looking for her friend who lived in the building. She had tried to call the person’s phone but it was switched off.
The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that there are reports of a number of deaths due to the fire and local authorities are engaged in identifying the bodies. “Our High Commission is in close contact with Maldivian authorities, and is extending all help to the affected Indians and their families. A helpline number has been opened by our High Commission,” the spokesperson said.
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