Five people were injured after a gas cylinder exploded at a café in Hulhumalé on Sunday morning, sparking a fire that was extinguished before emergency services arrived.
The incident occurred at around 10:00 am at a café near the Ruggandu 1 area in Hulhumalé Phase 1, according to the Maldives Police Service. Police said five people sustained injuries of varying severity, with four taken to Hulhumalé Hospital for treatment.
The four hospitalised individuals are foreign nationals employed at the café. No customers were injured. Police confirmed that the fire had already been put out by people at the scene by the time officers and the MNDF Fire and Rescue Service arrived.
There was no damage to the café building or kitchen equipment, though several plates were broken as customers rushed outside after hearing the explosion.
Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the blast. The National Disaster Management Authority also noted the response by emergency teams.
The café has been identified in some reports as Marinate.
