At least 10 people were killed and several others injured when a fire swept through cramped lodgings of foreign workers in the Maldives capital Male, the fire service said.
In the fire 9 Indians were reportedly killed as officials recovered 10 bodies from the upper floor of a building destroyed in the fire.
The fire appeared to have been originated from a ground-floor vehicle repair garage.
Another person killed in the fire was a Bangladesh national, AFP reported citing a security official.
Maldives president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said that an investigation into the incident is currently underway.
"The dangerous fire incident in the city yesterday is a very sad incident. Many people have lost their lives and a large number have been injured. The incident is currently being investigated. Condolences to the families of the deceased," he tweeted.
India expressed grief over the fire and said that it was in close contact with authorities.