A severe fire at an apartment building in Maafannu District, Malé, has left one person in intensive care, according to authorities. The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) reported that five people were taken to the hospital for treatment with the assistance of residents.
The government-run Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) confirmed that one person remains in intensive care, while the other four are being treated in the emergency room. The victims are reportedly suffering from smoke inhalation.
The fire occurred on Thursday afternoon, but MNDF firefighters swiftly responded, containing the blaze and preventing it from spreading to neighbouring apartments or adjacent buildings. The third-floor apartment where the fire started sustained extensive damage, as per images shared by the MNDF. Furniture and household items were charred and damaged beyond repair.
Following the incident, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) arranged emergency shelter for the four people who lived in the apartment. They will receive housing support for the next 15 days as they recover from this event, according to NDMA.