Maldives government has promised to move all chemical warehouse from Male’ City to a safer location as soon as possible after a fire in the capital destroyed four warehouses and six residential buildings.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih met with the National Disaster Council on Saturday and instructed the warehouses to be moved, according to the President’s Office.
The warehouses will be moved to Thilafushi and Gulheefalhu, Defence Minister Mariya Ahmed Didi told reporters on Saturday.
There are 126 chemical warehouses in Male’, according to Minister Mariya. Out of the 126 warehouses 82 are located in residential buildings while 92 warehouses are adjacent to residential buildings, she said.
Aishath Shauna, 47, died in the incident while more than 50 were treated at the hospital for minor injuries.
Fire was first reported at a warehouse owned by Green Path Private Limited. A permit was issued to Green path to store chemicals such as detergent, insecticide, and lubricants.