A massive fire in a building in Kuwait resulted in the death of 41 Indians among a total of 49 fatalities on Wednesday. While many of the Indian victims were later identified, some bodies were so severely burned that they couldn’t be recognized.
The massive fire that broke out early Wednesday in a six-storey building in Kuwait has resulted in 49 fatalities and left over 50 people injured. Officials reported that more than 40 of the victims from India. The structure that went up in flames was home to many foreign laborers.
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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar contacted his Kuwaiti counterpart, Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, who informed him about the measures taken by Kuwaiti authorities in response to the fire. According to officials, most of the deaths occurred due to smoke inhalation while the residents were asleep, and a large number of occupants were safely evacuated.
Fire Incident in Kuwait: Latest Reports
Early Wednesday, a fire broke out in a building in Kuwait that was accommodating foreign workers, resulting in at least 49 deaths. Among the deceased, 41 were Indian nationals, aged between 20 and 50. Additionally, the blaze caused injuries to over 50 individuals, according to India’s External Affairs Ministry. Local authorities mentioned that the fire seemed to be associated with code violations, as reported by The Associated Press.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya on Wednesday night, pressing for the prompt return of the bodies of those who perished in a tragic in the Mangaf area of southern Kuwait.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who referred to the incident as “saddening,” assessed the situation in a meeting with S Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, Principal Secretary to PM PK Mishra, and other officials. After the discussion, the Prime Minister declared an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh for the families of deceased Indian nationals from the PM Relief Fund and instructed the government to provide all necessary support.
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh announced today that he was making an urgent trip to Kuwait. He also mentioned that some bodies were charred to the point of unidentifiable. Meanwhile, Kuwaiti authorities are performing DNA tests on the deceased, and an Indian Air Force aircraft is on standby to repatriate the remains of the Indians who lost their lives in the.
Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah the Emir of Kuwait instructed officials on Wednesday to investigate the incident and promised to hold those responsible accountable for the. In a message of condolence sent to the families affected by the fire inaf, the Emir conveyed his sincere sorrow and sympathy to the victims families and wished the injured a swift recovery.
Indian Ambassador Adarsh Swaika visited the site of the fire incident and subsequently went to hospitals, including Al-Adan Hospital, where over 30 Indian workers were being treated. He interacted with several patients, assuring them that the Embassy would provide complete support. Hospital authorities have reported that almost all are in stable condition, according to the mission.
The fire erupted just before 6 am (local time) in a building leased by the NBTC group. During the rescue effort, five firefighters were injured. According to speaking to PTI, the blaze originated in a kitchen located in the Mangaf area within Kuwait’s southern Ahmadi Governorate. It was reported that 195 individuals, all employees of the same company, resided in the building. Apart from Indians, the casualties included nationals from Pakistan, the Philippines, Egypt, and Nepal.
The Indian Embassy in Kuwait released an emergency number following the fire incident.
Local media quoted witnesses who pointed out that the closure of ground passageways inside the building played a significant role in the severe suffocation many victims experienced. They observed that this blockage impeded residents’ movement, making it even harder to evacuate the premises quickly. An eyewitness recounted a tragic event where a worker living in the building jumped from the fifth floor and tragically hit the edge of a balcony.
