Five Bangladeshi Workers Die in Maldives Kitchen Fire

Tragedy struck on Dighura Island, Maldives, on the night of 12 March, when a fire broke out during the preparation of the pre-dawn Sehri meal, resulting in the deaths of five Bangladeshi migrant workers. Two others sustained serious injuries in the incident.

The Bangladesh High Commission in Maldives confirmed the casualties on 13 March, stating that the mission is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating the repatriation of the deceased. The injured have been admitted to the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) in the Maldivian capital, Malé, where they are receiving intensive medical care.

The victims have been identified as:

Taj Uddin Islam

Sadar Ali

Robin Molla

Safiqur Islam

Nur Nabi Sarkar

The injured are:

Jamal Uddin

Saddam Hossain

According to local media reports, the fire was triggered by a gas stove while cooking Sehri in their shared quarters. A total of seven Bangladeshi workers suffered burns and were initially rushed to a nearby hospital. Despite rapid medical attention, five of them succumbed to their injuries, while the remaining two were transferred to Malé for advanced treatment. The other 31 Bangladeshi residents of the quarters were unharmed, as they were asleep in separate rooms at the time of the fire.

The Bangladesh High Commission’s Labour Counsellor, Sohel Parvez, provided an update on the condition of the injured, stating:

“One of the injured is currently in the Intensive Care Unit, while the other is receiving treatment in the Emergency Department.”

The High Commission has emphasised its commitment to providing support to the victims’ families and ensuring the safe repatriation of the deceased. The incident has also prompted authorities to stress the importance of fire safety measures in shared accommodation facilities for migrant workers.

Incident Overview

The tragic event has once again highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers in overseas employment, especially regarding fire hazards in shared living quarters. Authorities in Maldives and Bangladesh continue to coordinate to provide immediate relief and support to those affected.