Authorities are still searching the area among the wreckage of the burned-down building following a fire that started at a garage in the capital of Male on Thursday morning that has already claimed 10 lives.

A ground-floor garage at M Senrose caught fire around 12:30 am which spread like wildfire. 

MNDF firefighters started to evacuate the area after controlling the fire for roughly an hour, but it took them more than six hours to properly put out the fire.

The MNDF and police later reported that 10 people had died in the blaze, nine of whom had perished inside the structure. While receiving burn care at IGMH, one of the patients passed away.

Police and MNDF said that fourteen persons have so far been saved.

The structure reportedly used as a housing complex for foreign workers.

For those who were evacuated from the area, the National Disaster Management Center (NDMA) has put up a temporary shelter at Maafannu Stadium.