Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) has stated that there has been no improvement in the condition of the two burn victims brought there following the fire at an ADh. Dhigurah expatriate accommodation block earlier this month. The two remain on ventilator support, the hospital confirmed.
The fire incident at around 2am on March 13 claimed the lives of five Bangladeshi men, and left three others seriously injured. One of the three men was treated and discharged from the island's health centre. The other two were transferred to Male' for additional medical treatment due to the severity of their injuries.
An IGMH media official said that despite over a week having passed since the incident, the two men remain on ventilator support, with no significant improvements observed.
One of the men suffered 24% TBSA burns, and the other 17%, according to IGMH. The two are also facing lung damage due to severe smoke inhalation.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that the fire originated from a gas leak leading to the explosion of a gas cylinder. However, authorities are yet to release an official confirmation of the cause.
A Dhigurah resident previously said that the fire occurred when two of the block's residents had been cooking for suhoor. The other occupants had been asleep at the time. Reportedly, the residence houses 30 expatriates.
Rescuers had to break down the wall to access trapped victims. On entry, they came across seven persons fallen unconscious, who were immediately rushed to the health centre. However, by the time rescuers had accessed the blazing residence, the fire had already claimed the lives of five victims.
