 "Vehicles are parked next to a building damaged following a deadly fire, in Mangaf, southern Kuwait, on Wednesday. Reuters")
A fire at a building housing workers in the city of Mangaf in southern Kuwait early on Wednesday has killed at least 41 workers, including Indians, and injured dozens, according to reports. The fire started in a kitchen in the six-storey building in Mangaf area in Kuwait’s southern Ahmadi Governorate in the early hours of Wednesday, officials said.
The building reportedly had nearly 160 people living in it, who are workers of the same company. While initial reports by Onmanorama claimed that 10 Indian nationals, including five Keralites, were among those killed, some media reports suggested that 40 Indians died in the incident.
Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah, who visited the site, accused the real estate owners of violations and greed, saying those factors contributed towards the incident.
“Unfortunately, the greed of real estate owners is what leads to these matters,” Reuters quoted Sheikh Fahad, who also runs the interior and defence ministries, as saying.
Indians make up 21% (1 million) of Kuwait’s population and 30% (approximately 900,000) of its workforce.
Kuwait, like other Persian Gulf countries, has a large community of migrant workers who far outnumber the local population. The nation of some 4.2 million people is slightly smaller than the US state of New Jersey but has the world’s sixth-largest known oil reserves.
As directed by PM Narendra Modi, MoS for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh is urgently travelling to Kuwait to oversee assistance to those injured in the fire tragedy and to coordinate with local authorities for early repatriation of mortal remains of those who have died in this unfortunate incident, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on X.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsThe fire was reported to authorities at 6:00 am local time (0300 GMT), Major General Eid Rashed Hamad told Reuters.
“The building in which the fire occurred was used to house workers, and there was a large number of workers there. Dozens were rescued, but unfortunately there were many deaths as a result of inhaling smoke from the fire,” Reuters quoted another senior police commander as telling state TV.
“We always alert and warn against” cramming too many workers into housing accommodation, he said, without providing details on the workers’ type of employment or place of origin.
The fire was contained and authorities were investigating its cause, officials said.
Jaishankar expresses grief
Soon after the fire broke out, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.
“Deeply shocked by the news of the fire incident in Kuwait city. There are reportedly over 40 deaths and over 50 have been hospitalised. Our Ambassador has gone to the camp. We are awaiting further information,” wrote Jaishankar on X.
“Deepest condolences to the families of those who tragically lost their lives. Wish early and full recovery to those who have been injured. Our Embassy will render the fullest assistance to all concerned in this regard,” he added.
Embassy issues helpline number
Indian Embassy in Kuwait has put in place an emergency helpline number - +965-65505246, saying Embassy remains committed to render all possible assistance.
“In connection with the tragic fire-accident involving Indian workers today, 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.
Ambassador Swaika meets injured Indian workers
Meanwhile, Ambassador Adarsh Swaika visited the Al-Adan hospital where over 30 injured Indian workers have been admitted.
“He met a number of patients and assured them of full assistance from the Embassy. Almost all are reported to be stable by hospital authorities,” India Embassy in Kuwait wrote on X.
He also visited Farwaniya Hospital, where six workers, expected to be mostly Indians were admitted.
“Hospital authorities confirmed that 4 of them have been released, 1 has been shifted to Jahra hospital & 1 in ward is reportedly stable,” the Embassy added.
Order issued to arrest building owner
Kuwait’s Interior Minister Al-Sabah ordered police to apprehend the owner of the Mangaf building, the building’s janitor, as well as the owner of the company responsible for the workers pending the end of the criminal investigation, the Kuwait Times reported.
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.
In a similar incident, a fire at an oil refinery in Kuwait had killed four people in 2022.
With input from agencies