New Delhi: A fire that broke out in a building housing migrant workers in the city of Mangaf in southern Kuwait early Wednesday has reportedly claimed over 40 lives. Several Indian workers are among the injured.
The Indian embassy in Kuwait issued an emergency helpline number for updates and said it remained committed to rendering all possible assistance.
Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar has expressed “deep shock” at the deaths, posting on X that there were reportedly over 40 deaths and another 50 were hospitalised.
Deeply shocked by the news of the fire incident in Kuwait city. There are reportedly over 40 deaths and over 50 have been hospitalized. Our Ambassador has gone to the camp. We are awaiting further information.
Deepest condolences to the families of those who tragically lost…
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 12, 2024
According to the Indian embassy’s X handle, Ambassador Adarsh Swaika visited the Al-Adan hospital where over 30 Indian workers injured have been admitted, and assured them of full assistance from the embassy. Almost all are reported to be in stable condition.
Amb @AdarshSwaika visited the Al-Adan hospital where over 30 Indian workers injured in today’s fire incident 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. pic.twitter.com/p0LeaErguF
— India in Kuwait (@indembkwt) June 12, 2024
Kuwait’s deputy prime minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah has claimed that violations and greed on the part of the real estate owners contributed towards the incident, Reuters reported.
“Unfortunately, the greed of real estate owners is what leads to these matters,” said Sheikh Fahad, who also runs the interior and defence ministries.
The fire was reported at 6 am local time, 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,” another senior police commander told state TV.
“We always alert and warn against cramming too many workers into housing accommodation,” he said.
The fire was put out and authorities were investigating its cause, according to the report.
According to the news agency PTI, the fire started in a kitchen in the six-storey building which reportedly had nearly 160 people living in it, all workers for the same company.
Indians constitute 21 percent (1 million) of the total population of Kuwait and 30 percent of its workforce (approximately 9 lakh).
Meanwhile, Minister Sheikh Fahad has ordered the police to apprehend the owner of the Mangaf building where the fire broke out, the building’s janitor, as well as the owner of the company responsible for the workers, the Kuwait Times reported.
He also ordered the Kuwait Municipality and the Public Authority for Manpower to launch immediate action to address similar violations where large numbers of workers were kept in one residential building, and to make sure that all safety requirements were in place.
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