Workers trapped with no escape as Dhigurah accommodation fire kills 5
Authorities believe the deaths were caused by suffocation after occupants were unable to leave the building once the fire started.
Five expatriate workers died after a fire broke out at an accommodation block in ADh. Dhigurah early Friday, trapping occupants inside the building.
Local media outlet Dhauru reported that the victims were unable to escape because the building had only one entry and exit point, located next to the kitchen where the fire began.
The fire was reported at around 1:57am. Seven individuals were taken to Dhigurah Hospital, where five were pronounced dead. All victims were Bangladeshi nationals.
Two survivors were later transported to Malé for treatment and are currently being treated at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).
The Dhigurah Island Council said initial findings indicate the fire may have been caused by a gas leak during cooking. Some residents were asleep when the fire began.
According to information obtained by Dhauru, about 30 expatriate workers were living in the accommodation block, which had a single entrance and exit located on one side of the kitchen. The council confirmed the layout of the building.
Authorities believe the deaths were caused by suffocation after occupants were unable to leave the building once the fire started.
The Maldives Police Service said rescuers had difficulty entering the building due to limited access and had to break down a wall to reach those trapped inside.
“In a joint effort by the police and the public to rescue those trapped, a back wall was demolished to reach the seven unconscious individuals, who were then taken to the health centre,” police said in a statement.
Police said five of the victims had already died by the time they arrived at the health centre. The two remaining victims were in critical condition due to smoke inhalation and are on ventilator support.
Another individual who suffered psychological distress following the incident was treated at the health centre and later discharged.
Police said officers received the report at 1:57am and arrived at the scene a minute later. Upon arrival, officers observed flames coming from the kitchen area.
The fire was brought under control by around 2:30am through joint efforts by police and members of the public.
Authorities said the area has been cordoned off and an investigation has been launched. The Major Crime Investigation Department has been notified, and a team arrived in Dhigurah on Friday morning.
Police said information related to the incident is being shared with relevant authorities.
The Human Rights Commission of the Maldives (HRCM) has also begun reviewing the incident to determine whether any human rights violations occurred.
Videos circulating on social media showed flames rising from the accommodation block and explosions as the fire intensified.
The incident has renewed concerns about accommodation conditions for expatriate workers living in shared housing.
A similar incident occurred in November 2022 in Malé when a fire at M. Nirufehige killed 10 expatriate workers who were trapped in accommodation above a garage.
In 2023, another fire at an Afcons accommodation block in Gulhifalhu housing about 460 workers destroyed the facility, leaving 76 people injured and one person dead.
