Kudu requests committee review of police, council and ministry actions in fatal Dhigurah fire case

A month after the fire that killed five expatriates in an accommodation block in A.Dh. Dhigurah,Parliament has been asked to determine whether the relevant authorities properly investigated the incident and fulfilled their responsibilities.

North Galolhu MP Mohamed Ibrahim (Kudu) sent a letter to Speaker Abdul Raheem Abdullah requesting that the Parliamentary Government Accountability Committee clarify key issues surrounding the deaths of the five expatriates.

Kudu asked the committee to obtain information on whether the building where the fire occurred was being used for residential purposes in line with the Residential Property Rental Act, under whom the deceased expatriates had been employed with proper permits, and whether the building had been registered as an “expatriate accommodation” business.

He also requested details from the Homeland Security Ministry on its responsibility to ensure that expatriate accommodation meets required standards, the ministry’s inspection procedures for such facilities, and what measures have been taken to prevent similar incidents. He further asked whether the employer had fulfilled all obligations related to the workers’ accommodation.

The letter also seeks clarification on:

• Whether police conducted an investigation, whether the cause was established, and what action was taken if negligence was identified  

• Whether the building was licensed by the council  

• Whether the council had previously flagged the building as a safety hazard  

• Whether the accommodation fell under the employer’s control  

Sun has asked the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) about the progress of its inquiry, as no details have been made public. In brief responses on two occasions, the commission said it is still gathering information.

“The information needed for this investigation is being gathered,” the HRCM said, without providing further details.

The fire, caused by a gas leak, broke out in a migrant workers’ accommodation block in Dhigurah. Five expatriates were killed and two others sustained serious burn injuries.