Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has begun checking the chemical warehouses in Male’.

In a tweet on Sunday, MNDF confirmed that military and fire and rescue officers are assessing the warehouses.

MNDF stated that more information will be disclosed as they continue their work.

The warehouse assessments come after a fire that began inside a chemical warehouse in the capital city spread to seven nearby buildings, resulting in the loss of one life and around 400 people to take temporary shelter.

Minister of Defence Mariya Didi has said that 82 of the 126 warehouses in Male’ store hazardous chemicals and that 96 warehouses are right next to residential buildings. She said that the Attorney General’s Office has been tasked with establishing policies for warehouse storage.

While President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has ordered the relocation of chemical warehouses away from residential areas, Thilafushi Development Corporation stated that land has been allocated in the island to store the chemicals.