At least 40 Indian workers lost their lives in Kuwait fire tragedy. The Arab Times reported that most victims hailed from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and northern Indian states, with ages ranging from 20 to 50 years.
At least 40 Indian nationals perished and many others sustained injuries when a fire engulfed a six-storey building in Kuwait that housed numerous laborers. According to officials, most fatalities were due to smoke inhalation as the fire broke out early Wednesday while the residents were asleep.
The blaze originated in a kitchen on one of the building’s lower floors in the Mangaf area of Kuwait’s southern Ahmadi Governorate.
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The Arab Times reported that most victims hailed from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and northern Indian states, with ages ranging from 20 to 50 years. Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah, attributed the tragedy to the “greed of the company and building owners.”
The building, rented by the NBTC group and reportedly owned by Malayali businessman KG Abraham, accommodated low-paid, blue-collar workers who often live in overcrowded conditions in the Gulf.
Following the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened an urgent meeting with senior officials to assess the situation. Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, announced his imminent departure to Kuwait to oversee relief operations and facilitate the repatriation of the deceased’s remains.
The Indian Embassy in Kuwait established an emergency helpline (+965-65505246) for updates. Indian Ambassador to Kuwait, Adarsh Swaika, visited the incident site in Mangaf and the hospitals treating the victims. He confirmed that the Embassy was in ongoing communication with Kuwaiti authorities to ensure appropriate actions and medical care.
Ambassador Swaika visited several hospitals, including Al-Adan Hospital, Farwaniya Hospital, Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital, and Jahra Hospital, where over 50 Indian nationals were admitted.
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An expatriate organization president at the fire site confirmed that at least 11 of the deceased were from Kerala.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has requested External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to direct the Indian Embassy to coordinate relief efforts with the Kuwaiti government.
Concerns have been raised regarding the overcrowded living conditions for workers. In response, Kuwait‘s Deputy PM ordered the arrest of the building’s owner, the janitor, and the company owner responsible for the workers, as reported by the Kuwait Times. He emphasized that the incident stemmed from the greed of those responsible and mandated immediate action to rectify similar violations.
Several opposition leaders, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, expressed their sorrow over the tragedy and urged the government to provide all necessary assistance to the victims and their families.