The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has revealed that the shelter period for those affected by the chemical warehouse fire of 2019, has been extended.

The authority stated that period for providing shelter for those affected was initially set to end during the ongoing months, however, it has been extended by three more months in light of the ongoing Covid-19 crisis.

Earlier, NDMA noted that 29 individuals are remaining under the government’s shelter.

Out of the total, residents from six households are residing in the Gaakoshi flats and West Side.

The chemical warehouse fire on September 20, took down four warehouses and six houses in its wake. A total of 786 had sought temporary aid out of which 450 were men and 336 were women. All of those affected were provided temporary shelter by the NDMA within the few days that followed. It had also taken the life of a 46-year-old woman, Aishath Shauna.

The incident was the biggest such incident in recent history and the government earlier assured the public that necessary action will be taken to prevent such incidents from repeating.

Earlier investigations revealed that 12 types of chemicals were stored in the warehouse where the fire was originated, in Thilafusheege. They were imported after acquiring the required authorization from the Ministry of Defense and National Security during 2018.

Maldives Police Service (MPS) confirmed that there was no negligence on any part in relation to the incident and that their investigations also do not show that is was done purposefully.