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At least 41 people lost their lives and 50 others were injured in a devastating building fire in Kuwait early Wednesday morning, as reported by the state-run Kuwait News Agency (KUNA). Among the deceased are 10 Indian nationals, including five Malayalis.
The blaze, which broke out around 6:00 am local time (0300 GMT), quickly engulfed the building, trapping many occupants inside. Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah confirmed the death toll, highlighting the tragic scale of the incident.
According to Onmanorama, a daily online news portal, the building housed approximately 195 laborers, including workers from Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Among the Indian casualties are two Keralites, one individual from Tamil Nadu, and another from Uttar Pradesh. Five of the twelve people placed under intensive care are from Kerala.
The building, which belongs to the NBTC group owned by Malayali businessman KG Abraham, was primarily a residence for laborers.
Expressing deep sorrow over the tragic incident, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished a swift recovery to the injured. “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 said.
Jaishankar assured that the Indian Embassy in Kuwait, led by Ambassador Adarsh Swaika, is actively engaged in providing assistance. Swaika has visited the incident site in Mangaf and is coordinating with Kuwaiti authorities for necessary action and emergency medical care.
The Indian Embassy in Kuwait has also established an emergency helpline at +965-65505246 for updates and assistance, urging all concerned to utilize this resource for information.
This tragedy has not only highlighted the dangers faced by laborers in such accommodations but also brought to the forefront the need for stringent safety measures to prevent future incidents. As rescue operations continue and investigations are underway, the priority remains on providing support and care to the survivors and the families of the victims.
