A fertiliser and chemical warehouse operated by Prime Fertilisers in Maafannu caught fire around 9:30pm, forcing the evacuation of 454 people from 15 households affected by heavy smoke. The National Disaster Management Authority registered the displaced people, including 302 expatriate workers, at an evacuation centre. NDMA provided temporary shelter to 77 people from 10 households. Others were taken in by employers, assisted by the Red Crescent, or stayed with relatives. Seven people required hospital treatment. Police urged residents in the neighbourhood to shut their windows, wear masks and to avoid the area.
On Wednesday morning, MNDF firefighters extinguished a fire that broke out in a vacant house near the Galolhu mortuary in Malé. No one was injured in the fire at Hiyaa Roadhi. CCTV footage shows that a man was entering and leaving the house minutes before the fire broke out, Dhauru reported. A fire at a Hulhumalé apartment on Tuesday meanwhile severely damaged a bedroom and affected other rooms. NDMA provided temporary shelter, food, and clothing for seven residents for five days. No injuries were reported. It was the third fire in Hulhumalé this year.
The Architect Association of Maldives called for a national fire safety code after five Bangladeshi workers were killed in a fire caused by a gas leak at a labour quarters in Alif Dhaal Dhigurah last week. The existing regulatory framework focuses on emergency response rather than fire-safe building design, and mandatory compliance documents required under the building code have never been published, the association said. President Muizzu told Bangladesh's prime minister a full investigation had been ordered.
Private fish processor Ensis Fisheries stopped providing free ice to yellowfin tuna fishing boats, citing high production costs caused by rising fuel prices. The company said the move was necessary to remain sustainable amid a sharp increase in operating costs.
The Islamic ministry declared Friday as Eid-al-Fitr, following a meeting to verify the sighting of the moon. The ministry said “the crescent moon of Shawwal was not sighted by Sharia-compliant means anywhere in the Maldives after sunset on Wednesday”. It added that reliable astronomical calculations also showed the moon would not be visible above the horizon anywhere in the country, and that no confirmed moon-sighting reports were received from other Islamic countries.
A truck flipped over after it hit barriers in the Hulhumalé-Hulhulé link road. Police said two people in the vehicle were taken to the hospital to receive treatment for their injuries.
The Adhaalath Party decided to back the referendum proposal to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on the same day.
New rules by the transport ministry require electric vehicles to use green license plates to distinguish them from conventional vehicles. Existing EV users were given 60 days to change their license plates.
