PPM-PNC: Govt. must not forget tragedies or stop enhancing policies

The government must not forget tragedies after giving a few days of lip service and stop enhancing related policies, states the opposition coalition composed of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People’s National Congress (PNC).

The PPM-PNC coalition made the remark in a statement expressing concern over the fire that broke out in a building in Maafannu district on early Thursday, killing at least 10 people.

The fire broke out in a car repair garage in M. Nirufehi, located near the Maaveyo Mosque, around 12:30 am. The garage is located on the ground floor, while the first-floor houses cramped living quarters for migrant workers – the only ventilation – a single window.

The quarters housed migrant workers from Bangladesh, India and Sri Lanka.

10 people died, while one, identified as a Bangladeshi national, is in critical condition.

In a statement Thursday, the PPM-PNC coalition conveyed condolences to the families of the victims.

The coalition said the government must identify the causes for such incidents and have preventive measures in place.

“We call on the government abandon its policy of making immediate promises in response to such tragedies, establish a mechanism to prevent a repeat of such tragedies, and formulate effective policies,” said the coalition.

The PPM-PNC coalition also commended the police and soldiers involved in rescue efforts.

According to authorities, the migrant quarters had housed at least 38 people.

28 people were evacuated out of the building, while nine people were initially reported missing.

Seven of them were found dead, while two were taken to Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) with severe burns. One of them died at the hospital, while the second, identified as a Bangladeshi national, is in critical condition.

Firefighters later recovered two more bodies from the building, raising the death toll 10.

Speaking to press, Colonel Ibrahim Rasheed, Commandant, MNDF Fire and Rescue Service said the dead bodies recovered from the scene were severely burnt, making it difficult to identify them or even determine their sex.