A massive fire has gutted the national parliament building of the Marshall Islands, officials confirmed on Tuesday, adding that the blaze has now been brought under control.
The Marshall Islands Fire Department said in a telephone interview that half of the parliament building, known as the Nitijela, had been burnt down in a fire that broke out overnight.
The remaining structure cannot be used, a police official told Reuters by telephone, confirming the parliament had been destroyed.
A fire truck had responded to the blaze, he added.
Nation Of 42K People
The Pacific archipelago, midway between Hawaii and Australia, has a population of around 42,000, with half living in the capital Majuro.
Its major diplomatic relationships are a compact of free association with the United States, which provides economic assistance in return for military access, and diplomatic recognition of Taiwan.
President Hilda Heine’s spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Major International Debut
Earlier this month, the Marshall Islands finally got off the mark in international football on August 14 and promptly lost 4-0 to the US Virgin Islands on a high school pitch in Arkansas, but not before making history as the world’s newest national team.
The remote Pacific nation played their first-ever international at the 3,000-capacity Jarrell Williams Bulldog Stadium in Springdale, better known as home to the local high school’s American football team.
Northwest Arkansas was chosen as the venue because it hosts the largest Marshallese community in the United States and offers a convenient mid-point for Caribbean opponents.
Future Plans
The Marshall Islands Soccer Federation, established in 2021 with the support of British volunteers and self-funded, harbours ambitions that extend beyond Thursday’s outing.
FIFA membership would unlock up to $8 million in funding over four years, but confederation membership is required first.
Despite writing to Oceania, the Marshall Islands claim to have received no response, with the confederation citing a ‘lack of direct air links’ as the barrier.
They are, however, considering applying to CONCACAF (the North American confederation) and the AFC (Asian confederation).
(With inputs from Reuters)
