One Year After Fire Destroys Government Ministries, Cause Remains Unexplained

Authorities have yet to provide an explanation for the fire that destroyed a building housing three government ministries exactly one year ago. The blaze, which erupted on December 12, 2024, at a government complex in Male' City, left the Housing Ministry, Infrastructure Ministry, and Environment Ministry, along with other offices, unusable. Despite an investigation launched by the Maldives Police Service and assistance from Indian experts, no details about the cause have been disclosed. The incident, which caused extensive damage and disrupted government operations, remains the most severe fire-related destruction of a government-owned building. Numerous allegations have surfaced, including claims of corruption-related document destruction, but the investigation has stalled, leaving the cause of the fire unresolved.