Kuwait Fire: 'Embassy Monitoring Situation', Tweets PM Modi After Death of 41 Indians

Kuwait City: Forty-one Indians were among 49 killed after a fire broke out in a building housing workers in the city of Mangaf in southern Kuwait early on Wednesday. Major General Eid Rashed Hamad said that the incident was reported to authorities at 6:00 a.m. local time (0300 GMT). "The building in which the fire occurred was used to house workers, and there was a large number of workers there. Dozens were rescued, but unfortunately, there were many deaths as a result of inhaling smoke from the fire," another senior police commander told state TV. 

"We always alert and warn against" cramming too many workers into housing accommodation, he said, without providing details on the workers' type of employment or place of origin. The Kuwaiti health ministry reported that nearly 43 individuals were hospitalized following the fire, with four of them tragically succumbing to their injuries. The authorities have stated that they successfully contained the fire and are currently investigating its cause.

What Led to The Fire?

Officials reported that a fire originated in the kitchen of a six-storey building, which housed approximately 160 individuals, all employees of the same company. Eyewitnesses recounted harrowing scenes as some individuals resorted to jumping from the fifth floor to evade the flames, resulting in fatalities.  

MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh will go to Kuwait to help Indians injured in the fire, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. "As directed by PM Narendra Modi, MoS for External Affairs KV Singh is urgently travelling to Kuwait to oversee assistance to those injured in the fire tragedy and to coordinate with local authorities for early repatriation of mortal remains of those who have died in this unfortunate incident," the spokesperson said.

‘Indian Embassy in Kuwait is Closely Monitoring The Situation’, Says PM Modi

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Indian Embassy in Kuwait is closely monitoring the situation and working with the authorities there to assist the affected. “The fire mishap in Kuwait City is saddening. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. The Indian Embassy in Kuwait is closely monitoring the situation and working with the authorities there to assist the affected”, tweeted PM Modi.  

External Affairs Minister Assures Fullest Assistance

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed deep shock over death of over 40 people in the city of Kuwait. "Deeply shocked by the news of the fire incident in Kuwait city. There are reportedly over 40 deaths and over 50 have been hospitalized," Jaishankar said on X. A majority of the victims are learnt to be Indians. The Indian Ambassador to Kuwait has gone to the camp that caught fire.

"We are awaiting further information. My deepest condolences to the families of those who tragically lost their lives. Wish early and full recovery to those who have been injured," Jaishankar said, adding that the Embassy will render the fullest assistance to all concerned in this regard. 

Helpline Numbers Issued

"In connection with the tragic fire accident involving Indian workers today, the Embassy has put in place an emergency helpline number: +965-65505246. All concerned are requested to connect over this helpline for updates. The embassy remains committed to rendering all possible assistance," the Indian Embassy in Kuwait said in a post on X. 

Indians constitute 21 per cent (1 million) of the total population of Kuwait and 30 per cent of its workforce (approximately 9 lakhs).

‘Greed of the Company and Building Owners’

Kuwait's Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah ordered police to apprehend the owner of the Mangaf building where the fatal blaze occurred Wednesday, the building's janitor, as well as the owner of the company responsible for the workers pending the end of the criminal evidence personnel's examination of the scene, the Kuwait Times reported.

"What happened today is a result of the greed of the company and building owners," the minister said in a statement as he visited the fire scene. He said that he gave orders to Kuwait Municipality and the Public Authority for Manpower to launch immediate action to address similar violations where large numbers of workers are crammed into one residential building and ensure that all safety requirements are in place to prevent similar incidents.