A 39-year-old expatriate remains in critical condition after sustaining severe burn injuries in a fire that broke out on a fuel transport boat in Feeali, authorities have confirmed.
According to the Maldives Police Service, the incident was reported at approximately 9:15 a.m. yesterday. The blaze quickly escalated, spreading to nearby vessels and infrastructure at the harbour.
Fire Destroys Boats and Ice Plant
Officials said the fire engulfed a total of four boats, all of which were completely destroyed. A nearby ice plant was also severely damaged and rendered unusable as flames spread across the area.
Firefighters from the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) were deployed shortly after the incident was reported. Teams from Nilandhoo and Kudahuvadhoo fire stations responded to the emergency, working to contain the blaze.
According to MNDF, the fire was brought under control by 10:35 a.m., roughly an hour after the initial alert.
Victim Airlifted to Malé
The injured man, a Bangladeshi national who had been working on the fuel vessel at the time, sustained extensive burns. After receiving initial treatment at the Feeali Health Centre, he was transferred to Malé for advanced medical care.
Medical officials at Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) confirmed that the victim is currently on a ventilator. Reports indicate that approximately 60 percent of his body was affected by burns.
Significant Damage Reported
The island council has estimated that the total damage caused by the fire exceeds MVR 20 million, highlighting the scale of destruction to both vessels and infrastructure.
Authorities are continuing to assess the incident, while further details regarding the cause of the fire have yet to be confirmed.
