Hospital Phots via X- India in Kuwait @indembkwt
Dubai: Several Indians were feared to be among the 41 people killed in a major fire that broke out on Wednesday in a building in Kuwait housing workers, according to reports from the Gulf nation.
The blaze started in a kitchen in the six-storey building located in the Mangaf area of Kuwait’s southern Ahmadi Governorate during the early hours of Wednesday, officials said. The building reportedly housed nearly 160 workers of the same company, many of whom were Indians.
The Indian Embassy in Kuwait has set up an emergency helpline number: +965-65505246 for updates related to the incident. “All concerned are requested to connect over this helpline for updates. The Embassy remains committed to rendering all possible assistance,” the Embassy said in a post on X.
Indians make up 21% (1 million) of Kuwait’s total population and 30% of its workforce (approximately 900,000). “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,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in a post 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.
Kuwait’s Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah ordered the arrest of the building owner, the janitor, and the owner of the company responsible for the workers pending the end of the criminal evidence personnel’s examination of the scene, the Kuwait Times reported. “What happened today is a result of the greed of the company and building owners,” the minister said in a statement during his visit to the fire scene.
He instructed Kuwait Municipality and the Public Authority for Manpower to take immediate action to address similar violations where large numbers of workers are crammed into one residential building and ensure that all safety requirements are met to prevent future incidents.
