June 12th 2024.
Dubai: A devastating fire broke out in a building located in the Mangaf area of Kuwait on Wednesday morning, claiming the lives of 41 people, including several Indian nationals. The six-story building, which housed workers of the same company, caught fire in the early hours of the day due to a kitchen accident, according to officials.
The Director General of the Forensic Department, Maj Gen Eid Al-Owaihan, reported that the death toll has risen to 35 and that 15 injured individuals have been admitted to hospitals. Unfortunately, four of them passed away later on, as reported by the English language daily Arab Times. The majority of the deceased were Indian nationals, ranging in age from 20 to 50 years old.
Tragically, five firefighters were also injured during the rescue operation. Most of the deaths were due to smoke inhalation while residents were sleeping. However, a significant number of occupants were successfully evacuated. The Indian Embassy in Kuwait has set up an emergency helpline number and urged all concerned individuals to contact them for updates. With Indians making up 21 percent of the total population and 30 percent of the workforce in Kuwait, the Embassy remains committed to providing assistance to those affected by the fire.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed his shock and condolences on social media, stating that the Ambassador has visited the site of the fire and is awaiting further information. He also added that the Embassy will provide full assistance to the families of the deceased and those injured. Ambassador Adarsh Swaika visited the fire site and hospitals where injured Indian workers were admitted. The Indian mission is in constant communication with relevant authorities for necessary action and emergency medical care.
During his visit to the Al-Adan hospital, Ambassador Swaika met with several patients and assured them of full assistance from the Embassy. The Indian mission also reported that the Ambassador visited Farwaniya Hospital, where six workers, mostly Indians, were being treated. Four have been released, one has been transferred to another hospital, and one remains in stable condition.
In response to the tragic incident, Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah, the First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Interior, and Minister of Defence, has ordered the arrest of the building owner, the building's janitor, and the company responsible for the workers. He stated that the tragedy was a result of greed and has ordered immediate action to address similar violations and ensure safety measures are in place to prevent future incidents.
The Kuwait Municipality has also taken action, suspending several key officials in the interest of public safety while an investigation into the incident takes place. Eyewitnesses have described the terrifying scene of flames engulfing the building, with one recalling a resident worker jumping from the fifth floor and tragically losing his life. This heartbreaking event serves as a reminder of the importance of safety measures and the need to address violations to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
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