President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih says his administration would accord high priority to the ensuing investigations of the fire in the Nirufehi house of Maafanu district in Male last Wednesday.
He made these remarks while addressing the nation at the official function to mark the 55th Republic Day.
President Solih described the fire as the most tragic incident to befall us in recent history as the blaze claimed the lives of 10 people, all foreigners living and working in the country.
Citing that the high level of congestion in Malé had led to several tragic incidents, the President stated that living near garages, carpentry shops, warehouses, and other industrial workshops was unsafe.
Highlighting that the administration had relocated chemical warehouses from Malé, the President noted the need to move other industrial workplaces away from residential areas.
While the cause of the fire remains unclear, the 10 who perished in the blaze include 7 Indians and 2 Bangladeshis. Authorities are yet to identify the nationality of one of the deceased.
Local officials have said that they would help the families of the deceased take their bodies back if they wanted such arrangements
