57 people affected in Gaamagu Café fire

57 people were affected by the massive fire which burned down a building in the Henveiru district of Male’ on Monday, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).

The NDMA previously reported that the fire affected 37 people. But in a post on X on late Monday night, it updated the figure to 57.

According to the authority, the 57 people affected by the fire includes 37 Maldivians and 20 expatriate workers.

“We are providing them with humanitarian assistance,” it added.

The fire broke out at Noohimeri, located in the busy Sosun Magu of Male’ City, at around 2:47 pm on Monday. The ground and first floors of the building houses the Gaamagu Café, while the two upper floors house accommodation blocks for expatriate workers. The fire originated from the café’s kitchen, located on the first floor.

Made of tin and wood, the building was quickly engulfed in flames, and the fire spread to the adjacent residential building.

Firefighters managed to put out the fire at around 04:30 pm.

Two people were taken to the ADK Hospital for smoke inhalation; a 30-year-old woman of foreign nationality and a 48-year-old woman of Maldivian nationality. Both women were discharged following treatment.