President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has ordered an immediate review of safety procedures and inspection of all construction sites in Malé City so that more stringent measures may be put in place for the safety of workers and the general public.
In a message, posted on Twitter, conveying his sympathies to the family of the little girl who sustained serious injuries while walking on the pavement next to a construction site in the capital city, President Solih said his thoughts and prayers are with the little girl who sustained serious injuries.
Subsequent to the unfortunate incident, the President's Office has sent a letter to Ministry of National Planning and Infrastructure, conveying President Solih's instructions to conduct a thorough review of the current safety regulations for construction sites, and revise the guidelines to ensure safety of construction workers and the general public. In the letter, the president has also instructed the ministry to lead a full inspection of all construction sites immediately, and take necessary actions against those in violation of the current guidelines, according to the President’s Office.
The Bangladeshi girl, whose parents are doctors working in Maldives, sustained serious injuries and is being treated in Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH). CCTV footage circulated in social media shows a bag of cement falling from a building under construction and striking the girl who was walking on the pavement. The 9-year-old girl was seen collapsing under the weight of the bag. She was immediately taken to IGMH. The hospital had so far informed the girl is in critical condition.
Maldives Police Service has revealed an investigation has been opened regarding the case. Meanwhile, Ministry of National Planning and Infrastructure has stopped issuing permits to conduct any construction in Male’ City.