56 people evacuated following fire at café to receive temporary housing

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), underscoring that 50 migrants resided in the building where ‘Gaamagu Café’ is located – the scene of the massive fire late Monday afternoon – states efforts are underway to provide temporary housing for them.

The fire was reported to authorities at approximately 14:47pm late Monday afternoon.

Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF)’s Fire and Rescue Service has completely extinguished the fire as of present.

In a message to the media regarding the fire, MNDF said two women were taken to ADK Hospital for treatment following the incident. One of them, a 30-year-old migrant has now been discharged, said MNDF citing the hospital, adding the other’s condition, who is a 48-year-old Maldivian woman, is also improving.

Earlier, NDMA said 50 migrants resided at the building.

Speaking with Sun, NDMA’s Spokesperson said efforts were underway to provide temporary housing for the residents of the building, adding they are currently updating their condition at the moment.

The Spokesperson confirmed that the two individuals taken to hospital did not sustain serious injuries. In this regard, the Spokesperson said they were taken to the hospital due to smoke inhalation.

According to a Sun reporters who was at scene of the fire, MNDF jointly with Maldives Police Service evacuated the residents of the building and the surrounding area.

Although authorities have managed to control the fire now, the building has been damaged beyond use. Reporters on-site also confirmed it took a considerable amount of time for authorities to control the fire, resulting in significant damage to the building and another next to it.