Malappuram, April 17: In a tragic incident, 16 persons including a couple from Kerala's Malappuram district died in a fire at a residential building in Dubai's Dera. The deceased couple has been identified as Kalangadan Rijesh, aged 38 years and Kandamangalat Jishi, aged 32 years, both hailing from Vengara in Malappuram. Dubai Fire: Kerala Couple Among Four Indians Out of 16 Dead in Al Ras Apartment Building Blaze.

The other deceased are reportedly from Pakistan and Sudan. According to the police, the couple died of suffocation. The security guard who took part in the rescue operations has also died, informed the police.

The police suspect that the cause of the fire was short-circuiting. Rijesh worked as a travel employee while Jishi was a teacher at Khizais Crescent School. Reportedly, a fire broke out in a building in the Frijmurar area of Naif, Dubai's busiest market. Dubai Fire: 16 Dead and Nine Injured in Al Ras Apartment Building Blaze.

The bodies of both Rijesh and Jishi are expected to reach their native by tomorrow, as informed by the brother of Rijesh's father. Further details on the incident are awaited.

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)