'Tragedy Result of the Greed of Company and Building Owners,' says Kuwait's Deputy PM

In a devastating incident on Wednesday, a major fire in a residential building in Kuwait's Mangaf area resulted in the deaths of at least 41 workers, 40 of whom were Indian. The fire broke out in the kitchen of a six-storey building housing over 160 workers in the southern Ahmadi Governorate.

Kuwait's Deputy Prime Minister, Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah, visited the site and confirmed the tragic loss of life. He has ordered the immediate apprehension of the building's owner, the janitor, and the owner of the company responsible for the workers. This action will hold them accountable pending the results of a thorough examination of the scene by criminal evidence personnel.

A result of the greed of company and building owners, says Kuwait's Deputy PM

"What happened today is a result of the greed of company and building owners," Sheikh Fahad stated while touring the fire site. He emphasized the need for stringent measures to ensure that such tragedies do not occur again. "I have given orders to Kuwait Municipality and the Public Authority for Manpower to launch immediate action to address similar violations where a large number of workers are crammed into one residential building, and make sure that all safety requirements are in place in order to prevent similar incidents in the future," he added.

S. Jaishankar has expressed condolences 

India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, expressed his condolences to the families of the affected workers in a social media post. He assured that the Indian embassy in Kuwait would provide all necessary support and assistance to those impacted by the fire.

This tragic event highlights the dangerous living conditions faced by many migrant workers in the region. The authorities' response underscores the urgent need for improved safety standards and better living conditions for workers to prevent such incidents in the future.