Bridge workers' quarter destroyed in fire; over 70 injured
The fire, which broke out at the block housing around 456 workers involved in the construction of the Thillamale Bridge, was doused at 01.52pm.
An accommodation block set up at K. Gulhifalhu to house the workers of India's Afcons Infrastructure caught fire early Friday morning, injuring more than 70 people.
The incident was reported to MNDF at 00.31am. The fire, which broke out at the block housing around 456 workers involved in the construction of the Thillamale Bridge, was doused at 01.52pm.
"The accommodation block was completely destroyed in the fire," MNDF said.
According to MNDF, a total of 13 people were taken to IGMH and 60 to Tree Top Hospital.
"There was no loss of life in the fire," it said.
However, police later said a total of 76 people were injured in the fire. According to police:
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63 patients are undergoing treatment at Tree Top Hospital
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13 patients are undergoing treatment at IGMH
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Six of them sustained serious injuries
Afcons said in a statement that around 60 of its workers living in the rented accommodation block sustained minor injuries. All the injured have been immediately shifted to hospital and are receiving medical treatment, it added.
"A rescue operation is underway with the help of local authorities. Fire has been extinguished and all workers have been evacuated safely," Afcons' statement read,
"The actual cause of the fire is not yet known. However, an investigation has been launched."
The fire comes just over a month after a fire at a labour quarter in capital Male killed 10 people.
