Fire at Gulhifalhu accommodation block injures 76

A fire broke out at an accommodation block in K. Gulhifalhu on early Friday, leaving 76 people hospitalized with burn injuries.

The fire broke out at an accommodation block that housed workers from Afcons Infrastructure – the Indian contractor awarded the project to develop the Thilamale’ Bridge.

The fire was reported to Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) at 12:31 am. According to MNDF, firefighters were immediately dispatched to the scene. They managed to put out the fire at 01:52 am.

A police spokesperson said that 76 people have been hospitalized with injuries; 63 people are being treated at the Tree Top Hospital in Hulhumale’, while 13 are being treated at the Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) in Male’.

“We have been informed six of them are seriously injured,” said the spokesperson.

The fire burned the accommodation block to the ground.

Afcons has issued a statement confirming the incident.

According to Afcons, the fire had taken place at a labor camp the company hired from Housing Development Corporation (HDC).

“All the injured have been immediately shifted to hospital and are receiving medical treatment. There were no casualties in the incident,” said Afcons. “The actual cause of the fire is not yet known.”

The fire is under investigation by the police.