Marshall Islands parliament burns down in overnight fire

A fire has destroyed the national parliament building of the Marshall Islands, according to officials in the Pacific Island nation.

The Marshall Islands fire department said half of the parliament building – known as the Nitijela – had been burnt down, in an interview with Reuters.

Fire destroys parliament building in the Marshall Islands. Photograph: Chewy Lin

Firefighters were called to the scene in the early hours of Tuesday morning when the building was already engulfed. They successfully stopped the blaze, but police officials told Reuters the remaining structure cannot be used.

RNZ reported the parliament chamber, offices, library and archives had all been destroyed.

“The building is no longer usable, and already, alternative plans are being talked about, about where they’re going to hold parliament, because parliament is actually in session right now,” RNZ Pacific’s correspondent in the Marshall Islands Giff Johnson said.

Fire destroys parliament building in the Marshall Islands. Photograph: Chewy Lin

The Pacific archipelago, midway between Hawaii and Australia, has a population of about 42,000, with half living in the capital Majuro.

The nation’s 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.

The Marshall Islands parliament and president Hilda Heine’s spokesperson did not immediately respond to Guardian Australia’s request for comment.

Taiwan’s foreign minister Lin Chia-lung expressed his condolences.

Taiwan will remain in communication with the Marshall Islands’ government and “provide necessary assistance in a timely manner“, the ministry added in a statement, without elaborating.