NEW DELHI: A catastrophic fire broke out in a six-storey building located in the Mangaf area of Kuwait‘s southern Ahmadi Governorate on Wednesday. The building housed nearly 160 workers from the same company, which included several Indians, according to local officials.
Casualties and injuries
- Death toll: The blaze claimed the lives of 41 people, with the majority being Indian nationals aged between 20 and 50 years.
- Injuries: 15 individuals were admitted to hospitals, with four succumbing to their injuries later. Among the injured, five firefighters sustained wounds during the rescue operations.
- Causes of death: Most deaths resulted from smoke inhalation while the residents were asleep.
Emergency response
- Indian embassy’s response: An emergency helpline (+965-65505246) was set up by the Indian Embassy in Kuwait to assist and provide updates.
- External affairs minister’s statement: S Jaishankar expressed shock and offered condolences, saying that the Indian Ambassador was on-site and further information was awaited.
Ambassador’s actions
- Site visit: Indian Ambassador Adarsh Swaika visited the fire scene and hospitals where injured Indian workers were admitted.
- Hospital visits: The Ambassador assured full assistance from the embassy, confirming that most patients were stable.
Kuwait government’s actions
- Arrests ordered: Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah, first deputy PM, ordered the arrest of the building owner, the janitor, and the company owner pending investigation.
- Suspensions: Several key officials from Kuwait Municipality were suspended to ensure public safety pending a full investigation.
Eyewitness accounts
Indians constitute a significant portion of Kuwait’s population and workforce. Eyewitnesses described the fear and chaos as flames engulfed the building.One tragic account involved a worker leaping from the fifth floor, meeting a fatal end upon striking a balcony’s edge.
(With inputs from agencies)
Source Agencies
