MNDF: Smoke from Parliament believed to be an electrical short

Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has said that the smoke coming out of the Parliament building is believed to be caused by an electrical short.

Information Officer of MNDF, Major Adnaan Mohamed told Sun Media that so far they believe that the cause of the smoke from the Parliament is due to an electrical short.

“We have learned so far that an electrical wire inside the chamber has caught fire. From the bottom of the wire to the top has been damaged.” Major Adnaan said.

Major Adnaan said that that is no indication of a fire or damage to any other place inside the Parliament other than the electrical wire and has no knowledge that anyone was injured. He said that an investigation from MNDF is now working inside the Parliament and the cause of the incident can known after the investigation.

Fire and Rescue teams have been active at the scene following a report of smoke coming out of the administrative office of the Parliament around 4:58 p.m.

Witnesses say that smoke started coming out towards the roof of the Parliament Chamber after and loud sound.