More than 70 people sustained various injuries in a fire that broke out last night in the accommodation block of Afcons, the Indian company developing the bridge between the capital city of Malé and Thilafushi.
According to Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF), the fire incident was reported around 12:30 a.m. According to the MNDF the accommodation unit houses 465 people which is on the man-made island of Gulhifalhu.
Among those injured, 13 people were taken to Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) and 60 to Tree Top Hospital in Hulhumale'.
Injuries included broken limbs, other serious wounds and various degrees of burns sustained as victims jumped out of the buildings to escape the fire. Some were also treated for smoke inhalation.
The condition of the accommodation blocks and the cause of the fire are yet unknown. Photos and videos of the incident show the fire had spread rapidly.
MNDF said they had dispatched firefighters to Gulhifalhu when they received the report of the incident at 12:31 a.m. The fire was extinguished at 1:52 a.m.
“The accommodation block was completely burnt down in the fire,” said MNDF.
Afcons said people were evacuated to safety when the fire broke out.
"The exact cause of the fire is unknown. An investigation has been launched," the company said in a statement.
Sign In
