5 expats killed in Dhigurah fire weren't registered to site, ministry says
The ministry further stated that the individuals were working outside the arrangements approved under their sponsorship records.
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The Ministry of Homeland Security has stated that the five foreign workers who died in a fire in ADh. Dhigurah in March were not registered to the site where the incident occurred.
The information was disclosed as part of findings shared with parliament following requests for information from relevant government agencies.
The matter was raised by Galolhu Uthuru MP Mohamed Ibrahim, who asked Speaker of Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla to seek a review by the Government Accountability Committee into whether relevant authorities had fulfilled their responsibilities in relation to the incident.
The Parliamentary Secretariat subsequently obtained information from the Dhigurah Island Council, the Ministry of Homeland Security and the Ministry of Economic Development and shared the findings with the MP.
According to the Ministry of Economic Development, the building where the fire occurred was not registered as accommodation for foreign workers under the relevant regulations.
The Ministry of Homeland Security stated that none of the five deceased workers were registered to the location where the fire took place.
The ministry further stated that the individuals were working outside the arrangements approved under their sponsorship records.
According to the information provided:
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Three of the deceased workers held expired work permits.
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One worker's permit had been cancelled.
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One individual had previously been reported missing and was being sought by authorities.
The ministry said four of the deceased workers were registered under four separate companies, while one was registered under a private employer.
The companies identified were:
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New Liya Construction Private Limited
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Good Mark Private Limited
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Hydra Group Private Limited
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Firah Construction Private Limited
According to the ministry, the accommodation was arranged by employers and sponsors for workers employed on Dhigurah.
The investigation remains ongoing.
The ministry stated that statements have so far been obtained from 42 individuals connected to the case.
Two people identified as relevant to the investigation have not yet been interviewed.
They include a Maldivian-Bangladeshi national who was hospitalised at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital following the incident and another injured worker who later travelled to Bangladesh for medical treatment.
Information provided by the Dhigurah Island Council indicated that the council had not conducted inspections of the accommodation facility before the fire.
Initial findings suggest the fire began during cooking activities.
According to information shared by the Ministry of Homeland Security, a fire broke out near the regulator of a gas cylinder being used for cooking.
The ministry stated that a second 45-kilogram gas cylinder had been placed next to the cylinder in use at the time of the incident.
Several occupants of the accommodation were asleep when the fire started, according to the findings.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
