Housing ministry fire investigation: team of experts from India to assist
The police have requested the Ministry of Housing, Land and Urban Development to share information related to the fire incident
MNDF fire and rescue team at the scene of a major fire incident
A team of experts from India is assisting in the investigation related to the fire incident that engulfed parts of three ministries and the Malé City Council office.
Maldives Police Service (MPS) revealed this on Friday.
In a message sent to the media, Commissioner of Police Ali Shujau said that a special team of experts from India is currently working alongside the police institution in the ongoing investigation into the fire incident that occurred at M. Green Building on December 12.
Earlier, at a press conference held at Dharubaaruge, the CP stated that the police had provided assistance to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) in dousing the fire and that all resources had been utilized.
In addition to this, the CP assured the public that the police would thoroughly conduct the investigation of such a major incident. The CP further stated that the investigation would proceed with the assistance of a foreign team. However, no further details were provided.
The CP has noted that complete information regarding the matter will be shared with the public. The CP further said that the area where the fire incident occurred has now been handed over to the police. Along with this, he mentioned in his statement that police forensic teams are working in the area and that the process of reviewing CCTV footage is also underway.
The police have requested the Ministry of Housing, Land and Urban Development to share information related to the fire incident.
The police said that if anyone has any information that could be used in the investigation of the fire incident that occurred in the building housing three ministries on the morning of December 12, they should reach out to the Major Crime Investigation through 9911099.
The fire that broke out in the building where the ministry was operating spread uncontrollably, rendering the Construction Ministry, Environment Ministry, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Vital Island Section of the Malé City Council in that block unusable due to extensive damage.
As the investigation of the incident continues, it has also been stated that a foreign investigation team will be brought in to investigate the incident. However, before the investigation began, the work of demolishing and clearing the fire-damaged building had started.
While many questions have surfaced in connection with the fire incident, there are also suspicions that this might have been a deliberate act by some individuals. However, no clear information regarding this has been disclosed so far.
