The Gili Lankanfushi Maldives resort in North Malé Atoll has closed after a fire incident in the island earlier this week.
The resort management said that they have to ascertain the full extent of the damage caused by the fire and thanks ‘well-wishers’ as well as Tourism Minister Ali Waheed for their support.
We are still assessing the full extent of damage however the resort will be closed for the foreseeable future.
— Gili Lankanfushi (@GiliLankanfushi) January 3, 2019
The management further said that they will keep in touch with potential guests and travel partners to provide refunding for those that have already made bookings with them.
A late fire on late Wednesday night razed seven of the island’s over-water villas, its main restaurant, and a storage facility; Fire and Rescue officers were able to quell the fire at about 5:00am.
RaajjeMV understands that the fire originated at a villa called the ‘Cruise Residence’, which goes for USD 5,000 a night, and spread from there.
A resort staff told RaajjeMV that the resort was informed of the fire by a fishing vessel near the island.
The Maldives National Defence Force said that strong winds allowed the fire to spread quickly through the thatch-roofed villas.
The cause of the fire has not yet been ascertained. The Gili Lankanfushi lies 10 minutes from the capital city by speedboat and has been operating for over 20 years.
