M. Nirufehi garage fire: bodies of remaining victims returned to home countries
The victims include eight Indians and two Bangladeshi nationals
Authorities have returned the bodies of the victims of the tragic fire that broke out inside M. Nirufehi
Authorities have returned the bodies of all the victims of the tragic fire that broke out inside a house in Maafannu-ward of the congested capital Malé City in the early hours of November 10.
The Maldives Police Service (MPS) has confirmed that the bodies of the 10 victims of the tragic fire incident of M. Nirufehi has been returned to their home countries.
MPS earlier disclosed that the victims include eight Indians and two Bangladeshi nationals. The eight Indian victims included three women and five men, while the Bangladeshi nationals were a woman and a man.
The High Commission of India in the Maldives on November 17, revealed that the bodies of eight Indian victims of the incident were repatriated to India.
MPS has confirmed that the bodies of the two Bangladeshi nationals have also been repatriated to their home country.
A person who was injured in the fire incident is still receiving treatment at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).
On November 15, while cleaning the site of the incident, a feet of a person was found from the site. MPS are yet to identify whose feet it is.
The Police says that investigations of the incident is ongoing.
In a press conference on earlier, Inspector of Police Mohamed Samih revealed that findings so far indicate that the fire originated inside the garage, that was being operated illegally and without the required permit from authorities.
The fire is to have broken out in two floors, with 26 people inside the building at the timet around 12:30 am on November 10.
MPS disclosed that it didn’t take long to spread throughout the entire building.
The fire was extinguished by 90 percent, by 03:56am and was completely doused at around 04:34am.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih urged authorities to ensure transparency in disclosing information to the public regarding the case. He instructed them to expedite the identification of the deceased as well as to assist those affected by the fire.
President Solih instructed relevant authorities to enhance efforts to inspect the accommodation arrangements of foreign workers and compile a plan to relocate workshops and vehicle garages in residential areas.
The President gave the assurance that his administration would take steps to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
Maldives Red Crescent and the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services collaborated to provide psychosocial support for those affected.
