Special Police Team Deployed to Investigate Deadly Fire in ADh. Dhigurah

A special investigation team from the Major Crime Investigation Department has been dispatched to Alif Dhaal Dhigurah to determine the cause of a fatal fire at an expatriate accommodation block that left five people dead.

In a statement, the Maldives Police Service said the team arrived on the island yesterday morning and has begun investigating the incident. Authorities have cordoned off the area where the fire occurred as part of the ongoing investigation.

Police said they received a report at approximately 1:57 a.m. on Friday about a fire at a residence housing expatriates on the island. Officers arrived at the scene about a minute later and observed heavy flames coming from the kitchen area of the house.

To rescue those trapped inside, police officers and members of the public worked together to break through the back wall of the building, according to the statements. Seven unconscious individuals were removed from the premises and taken to the island’s health centre.

Authorities confirmed that five of the victims had died by the time they arrived at the health facility, while two others were in serious condition due to smoke inhalation. The two critically injured individuals have since been transported to Malé for further treatment.

Police also reported that another individual affected psychologically by the incident was treated at the island’s health centre and later discharged.

According to police, all those injured or killed in the fire are Bangladeshi nationals.

The police said that the fire was fully brought under control at around 2:30 a.m. through the combined efforts of police officers and island residents. Authorities said they are sharing information about the incident with relevant agencies.