Planning Ministry to assess impact of fire on Thilamalé Bridge schedule

Accommodation block used by AFCONS burns down. | Photo: MNDF

Malé, Maldives – Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure is looking into whether the schedule of the bridge works will be affected by the fire that broke out in an accommodation block of the Indian company AFCONS working on the Thilamalé Bridge.

The accommodation block that caught fire houses 465 people. More than 70 people were treated for various injuries in the fire. Some people jumped from the building to escape.

Thirteen people were injured in the fire and more than 60 were treated at Treetop Hospital. Treetop said most of the people taken to the hospital had broken limbs. Three of them sustained head injuries while one is in the ICU.

When asked by local media whether the incident would have any impact on the schedule of the bridge project, Mohammed Jinnah of the Planning Ministry’s Project Management Department Unit said the ministry was conducting an assessment.

“It is very difficult to say at this time whether there will be any impact or not. The ministry is looking into the matter,“ Jinah told.

“All workers were rescued,” AFCON said in a statement yesterday morning, adding that those being treated in hospital suffered minor injuries. They are all in good condition, the company said.