Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) has commenced a special operation to inspect all chemical warehouses in capital Male'.
The operation is being conducted by Fire and Rescue Department of MNDF. While no details on the operation have been shared, it is being conducted following a tragic fire at a chemical warehouse in Male' that killed one on Friday night.
Following the incident, the Maldives government has made the decision to move the chemical warehouses in Male' city away from residential areas. Over 80 such warehouses are currently situated in residential areas.
Earlier on Sunday, video footage of barrels of chemical being taken in to a house in Male' city was circulated on social media. While the people in the footage were storing their chemicals with permission from MNDF, the authority is facing criticism for allowing the chemicals to be stored in such a manner. Planning Minister Mohamed Aslam has stated that Sunday's incident will not be taken lightly, and will be investigated.
Four warehouses and six houses were torched down in Friday night's massive fire. Over 400 people lost their homes to the tragedy.
Photo: MNDF
