Fire at Malé café triggers the evacuation of 50 expatriate workers
It was yet again discovered that more than fifty expatriate workers who were evacuated were using the upper floors of the cafe’ as accommodation.
The Edition mv
Less than two years ago, Malé city witnessed one of its most devastating fire incidents, which tragically claimed the lives of 10 expatriate workers. This disaster brought to light the alarming living conditions many foreign workers endure, igniting a national conversation about their safety and well-being. While the 2022 fire prompted discussions and spurred the government to explore measures aimed at reducing the risk of such incidents, progress toward ensuring safer housing for expatriates remains slow. Despite initial efforts, the challenges persist, underscoring the need for more effective policies and enforcement to prevent future tragedies.
The unsafe housing conditions are not isolated incidents but are part of a broader issue that expatriate workers face in the Maldives. Overcrowded living spaces, inadequate fire safety measures, and substandard housing infrastructure put these workers at constant risk. Although some improvements have been made, such as increased inspections and safety guidelines, these measures often lack comprehensive implementation and enforcement.
While the matter of truly addressing a lot of the issues behind the fire incident still remains untouched, Male’ city has experienced yet another fire that easily could have led to a tragic end. On September 9th, 2024, a cafe’ in Male’ city reportedly caught fire, leading to the evacuation of some fifty expatriate workers along with six Maldivians. It was yet again discovered that more than fifty expatriate workers who were evacuated were using the upper floors of the cafe’ as accommodation - something that was noted to be unsafe in prior fire incidents as large numbers of people living in small spaces that are prone to fires could lead to mass devastation.
Although everyone was safely evacuated with no deaths reported, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has stated that 37 people have been directly affected due to this fire. In a post on ‘X’ NDMA revealed that the fire which took place at Gaamagu Cafe’ affected 22 Maldivians along with 15 expatriates. Additionally, the authority also reported that the fire has damaged the building beyond use with adjacent buildings also being affected due to this incident.
This recent fire incident in Malé, while thankfully not fatal, serves as a stark reminder that the unsafe living conditions of expatriate workers remain largely unaddressed. Despite ongoing discussions and efforts to improve safety standards, the recurring nature of such events highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement of housing regulations and better safety protocols. Until comprehensive action is taken, the lives of expatriate workers will continue to be at risk, underscoring the critical need for immediate reforms to prevent future disasters.
Source: 37 persons directly impacted by cafe' fire incident: NDMA - The Edition
