A catastrophic blaze in a building in Mangaf City, Kuwait, has resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 41 individuals and left around 43 others requiring hospital treatment, with four fatalities reported among them. The fire broke out early in the morning at around 6 am local time, which corresponds to about 9 am IST.
The Kuwaiti Ministry of Health confirmed the details of those hospitalized following the devastating incident. Responding to the calamity, India’s Foreign Minister, S Jaishankar, expressed his profound dismay, noting the significant loss of life and injuries. “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,” Jaishankar stated.
In the wake of the disaster, the Indian Embassy in Kuwait has stepped up to support the affected families and individuals, particularly the Indian workers impacted by the fire. “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,” the Foreign Minister added.
Further reports from the scene reveal that over 30 Indian nationals were among those injured in the fire, as confirmed by the Indian Ambassador in Kuwait. The Ambassador has visited the injured in the hospital, ensuring them complete support from the Embassy.
The building involved was primarily used as worker accommodation, where a large number of workers were housed. Despite the efforts of emergency services, many were rescued while unfortunately, several succumbed to injuries caused by smoke inhalation, as noted by a senior police commander in a statement to Reuters. The commander also highlighted ongoing concerns about overcrowding in worker accommodations but did not provide specific details about the employment or origins of the workers.
Authorities have since contained the fire, and investigations into its cause are currently underway.