UPDATE: Death toll of Malé fire rises to 10, mostly Indians!

The body of the 10th person found at the scene of the fire is being taken away. | Photo: Fayaz Musa

Malé, Maldives – 10 casualties have been reported from the fire which broke out in a garage in Malé City last night.

The garage which caught fire is located at the corner junction of Iskandhar Road and Koarukendi Road in Malé City.

The owner of the garage told local media that the workers living there are entirely Indian and Bangladeshi.

So far, it is learned that most of the dead are Indians, but officials are yet to confirm it.

Fire and rescue personnel were on the scene after receiving a call about the fire at 12:30 a.m. The fire was brought under control at 4:34 am, the army said.

MNDF said nine people were missing from the house where the incident occurred.

Local media reports state that there were a large number of gas bottles used by the residents in the garage for cooking. There are 28 very small rooms, each with a gas bottle and all the gas cylinders have exploded.