Sad news. A fire partially destroys Gili Lankanfushi Maldives [ Updated ]
Gili Lankanfushi has reopened in December 2019 and is more beautiful than EVER. After 1 year of renovation, Gili Lankanfushi Maldives is back with new villas, a new restaurant and more this December 1st 2019… Read the first news we have about the Resort ( Dreamy ) reopening
Gili Lankanfushi Maldives Reopening The resort is more beautiful than EVER
Sad news this morning.
A massive fire has partially destroyed Gili Lankanfushi on 2019, January 02nd.
[ continuously updated according to the latest Resort & local news reports. See lastes resort News at the end of this article.]
If you are a regular Dreaming of Maldives reader, you must know how much We Love Gili Lankanfushi. A Resort Beyond any Dreams you will surely agree.
We stayed there several times for long stays. A very special place for us, for years. But this morning, the news sounds very odd.
Gili Lankanfushi Maldives Resort partially burnt in a gigantic fire last night, wednesday January 02nd during 6 consecutive hours.
Screenshot of a video showing the flames. This place is the swimming pool with the Kitchens in the background.
Flames burning the resort.. Kitchens in the background. Staff and firemen trying to put it down. Screenshot / video Credit : News.mv
The Cool Lounge Area at the Resort Pool before the fire.
From this photo, the fire burnt all Water Villas from the East side of the Island.
Location of the fire at Gili Lankanfushi. Jetty n1
[UPDATE ] As I guessed, The Water Villas that burnt are on Jetty number 1 from Villa number 8 to Villa number 14 Here are the Villas before the fire.
Video
Photo
Gili Lankanfushi water villas 8 to 14 before fire. Credit Sakis Papadopoulos
Map of the Resort
Map of Gili Lankanfushi showing the location of the starting fire. Jetty 1
Strong winds made the fire hard to contain
According to local witness the fire started at 11.00 pm and last until 05.00 am local time, today, thursday Jan. 03rd. The fire was hard to contain due to strong winds.
The Resorts thatched roofs being entirely built in wood, buildings have rapidly burnt and the fire passed from one Water Villa to another up until ( according to first report ) to the Restaurants and main kitchen which are located on the beach.
Gili Lankanfushi states in a release that fortunately, no guest nor staff were injured. All Resorts guests were evacuated to a nearby Island.
Thankfully all of our guests and hosts have been accounted for and are being evacuated from the island with alternative accommodation being arranged by Gili Lankanfushi.
Gili Lankanfushi further announced that a full investigation will be carried out to assess the damages and determine the cause of the incident.
The reason of the fire.
As far as we know, the fire started in one of the water Villa located on the east side of the Island.
The cause of the incident is not yet known and it is too early to assess the extent of damage said Gili Lankanfushi, in a statement published on its Facebook page.
Reports say that a passing by vessel alerted the resort about the fire which could be seen from the sea.
News report that by the time the fire was completely extinguished, beside 7 water Villas, a restaurant, main kitchens, MNDF also revealed that the jetty leading to the Water villas had also caught fire in the incident.
buildings have rapidly burnt and the fire passed from one Water Villa to another up until ( according to first report ) to the Restaurants and main kitchen
Obviously Villas are damaged beyond repair. A footage filmed by a Maldivian crew located on a boat a a short distance shows the massive flames burning down.
Gili Lankanfushi Maldives aerial view Where the Fire burnt
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First local reports announce that at least 7 Water Villas were destroyed.
What is left from the Villas and jetty afer the fire. Gili Lankanfushi. Credit News.mv
Social medias being extremely quick in such circumstances, some videos were shot during the fire from the sea and on the resort.
This video shows the resort going up in flames inland
We also have many photos and videos of the Island.
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[ Add-on update ] Personal Souvenirs from the Water Villas that are not anymore…
I post here some souvenirs from 2 of our stays at Gili Lankanfushi, jetty number 1. We are sure these Water Villas will be soon floating again !
We stayed several times in these now destroyed water villas. What a view ! They will be soon back again.
LATEST UPDATES & NEWS FROM GILI LANKANFUSHI
JAN. 05th 2019 | LAST update. 01.00 pm GMT / Gili Lankanfushi released an announcement for Guests who have upcoming bookings at the Resort .
“* For guests who would like to proceed with their visit, we will assist in every way possible to arrange alternative accommodation. * For guests who wish to withdraw their booking, we will proceed with a full refund. * For guests who wish to visit Gili Lankanfushi, we will hold your booking till further notice when the resort reopens. Thank you for your understanding and our sincere apologies for any inconvenience caused. We understand that Gili Lankanfushi holds a special place in many of your hearts and, whilst there is a challenging recovery period ahead, we are confident about the island’s bright future and look forward to welcoming you back at the earliest opportunity.”
JAN. 02nd 2019 | update. 02.00 pm GMT / Gili Lankanfushi will be totally closed until further notice.
” We are still assessing the full extent of damage. However the resort will be closed for the foreseeable future.”
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I am Rozenn, Dreaming of Maldives Founder and Editor.
Expat for several years in Maldives, I keep on exploring the archipelago and share here my most beautiful Stories and Experiences.
Since 1999, we travel to the Maldives several times a year for [more...]
Sad news indeed. Gili Lankanfushi is an amazing resort. We stayed in a Crusoe some years ago. Unforgettable. This fire is so strange to see. Hope that all will be well again !
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2 comments
Sad news indeed. Gili Lankanfushi is an amazing resort. We stayed in a Crusoe some years ago. Unforgettable. This fire is so strange to see. Hope that all will be well again !
Hi Pete !
The resort is going very well on reparation, Gili Lankanfushi will be even more Dreamy, if it’s possible 😉