A six-storey building in Kuwait housing labourers engulfed in massive fire on early Wednesday, killing at least 50 people, around 40 of them being Indians.
“In an unfortunate and tragic fire-incident earlier today (June 12) in a Labour housing facility in Mangaf area of Kuwait, around 40 Indians are understood to have died and over 50 injured. The Embassy is ascertaining the full details from the concerned Kuwaiti authorities and the company. We offer our deepest condolences to the bereaved families,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed late on Wednesday.
“Those injured are presently admitted in five government hospitals (Adan, Jaber, Farwaniya, Mubarak Al Kabeer and Jahra hospitals) in Kuwait and receiving proper medical care and attention. According to hospital authorities, most of the admitted patients are stable,” the MEA statement further mentioned.
Indians killed in Kuwait fire were from Kerala, Tamil Nadu
“The majority of the deceased were Indian nationals from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and north Indian states. Their ages ranged between 20 and 50 years,” Major General Eid Al-Owaihan, head of the interior ministry’s General Department of Criminal Evidence, was quoted as saying by English language daily Arab Times.
Indians constitute 21 per cent (1 million) of the total population of Kuwait and 30 per cent of its workforce (approximately 9 lakhs).
Kuwait’s Interior Ministry said criminal evidence department personnel are currently working on identifying the victims on site and added that strict measures will be taken against building owners who violate the law.
How Kuwait building caught fire?
The fire broke out in the building which is rented by the NBTC group on Wednesday morning. The building reportedly sheltered 195 people who were workers of the same company.
Major General Eid Al-Owaihan said: “Unfortunately, we received a report of a fire at… exactly 6:00 am (0830 IST) in the Mangaf area.”
The blaze started in a kitchen in the six-storey building, officials said.
How Kuwait building fire led to massive deaths?
Most deaths in Kuwait building fire were due to smoke inhalation while residents were sleeping, officials said, adding that a significant number of occupants were evacuated.
Witnesses quoted by local media highlighted that the closure of ground passages within the building as a contributing factor to the severity of the suffocation experienced by several victims.
“This obstruction hindered residents’ movement and further compounded the challenge of evacuating the building swiftly,” they said.
The sight of flames engulfing the building instilled fear among onlookers, passersby recalled.
One of the eyewitnesses recalled that a resident worker jumped from the fifth floor, meeting a tragic end as he struck the balcony’s edge.
Kuwait’s assurance to India
India’s External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar spoke to Kuwaiti FM Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya on the fire tragedy in Kuwait and apprised of the efforts made by Kuwaiti authorities in that regard.
“Was assured that the incident would be fully investigated and that responsibility will be fixed,” Jaishakar said, adding that he has urged for the early repatriation of the mortal remains of those who lost their lives.
Emir of Kuwait vows to hold accountable those responsible
The Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber al-Sabah ordered authorities to probe the massive fire and vowed to hold accountable those responsible for the tragedy.
Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah condoled the deaths and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah, serving as the First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior, and Minister of Defence, has ordered police to arrest the owner of the Mangaf building where the fatal blaze occurred Wednesday.
“What happened today is a result of the greed of the company and building owners,” Deputy Prime Minister said in a statement.
He said that he gave orders to Kuwait Municipality and the Public Authority for Manpower to launch immediate action to address similar violations where large numbers of workers are crammed into one residential building, and make sure that all safety requirements are in place in order to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Public Prosecution launched investigations into the building fire, it announced in a statement.
Indian embassy in Kuwait launches emergency helpline
“In connection with the tragic fire accident involving Indian workers today, the Embassy has put in place an emergency helpline number: +965-65505246. All concerned are requested to connect over this helpline for updates. Embassy remains committed to render all possible assistance,” the Indian Embassy in Kuwait said in a post on X.
PM reviews fire tragedy in Kuwait building
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday evening, chaired a review meeting on the fire tragedy in Kuwait.
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PM Modi expressed his deep sorrow at the unfortunate incident and extended condolences to the families of the deceased. He also wished speedy recovery of those injured.
Modi sends MoS External Affairs to oversee relief
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also directed that Government of India should extend all possible assistance.
MoS External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh has also been directed by the prime minister to immediately travel to Kuwait to oversee the relief measures and facilitate expeditious repatriation of the mortal remains.
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PM Modi announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh
Modi has also announced ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh to the families of the deceased of Indian nationals from Prime Minister Relief Fund.
Earlier, PM Modi, in a post on X, said: “The fire mishap in Kuwait City is saddening. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. The Indian Embassy in Kuwait is closely monitoring the situation and working with the authorities there to assist the affected.”
Also Read: Indians among 41 killed in Kuwait building fire, Jaishankar promises ‘fullest assistance
Indian Ambassador Adarsh Swaika visited the fire incident site and later different hospitals (the Al-Adan hospital, Farwaniya Hospital, Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital and Jahra Hospital) where over 50 injured Indian workers have been admitted.
With inputs from agencies
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