41 Indians Among 49 Killed In Massive Fire At Kuwait Building; PM Modi Reviews Situation

At least 49 people were killed in Kuwait on Wednesday after a fire broke out in a building housing foreign workers. A government agency for Keralites living outside the state said it had been told by the Indian community in Kuwait that 41 Indians, including 11 from Kerala, had died in the fire.

The building, located in the Mangaf area in Kuwait’s southern Ahmadi Governorate, was housing over 160 workers. The fire started in a kitchen in the six-storey building.

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PM Modi Holds Review Meet

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha to attend the oath-taking ceremonies of the newly-elected Chief Ministers, held a meet to review the situation relating to the fire incident in Kuwait.

PM Modi also extended condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for quick recovery of those injured. The external affairs ministry said that the Prime Minister Modi directed minister of state for external affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh to travel 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 dead in the fire.

“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,” he said.

The minister will soon leave for Kuwait to bring back mortal remains on those deceased and help those injured after holding a meeting with the Prime Minister, people familiar with the developments told CNN-News18.

The external affairs minister S Jaishankar sent his condolences to the families of affected workers in a social media post and said the embassy will extend all needed support and assistance to those impacted by the fire.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that the news that more than 40 people died and many others were injured in the fire is extremely sad. People familiar with the developments told CNN-News18 said that citizens of Kerala are among those who died in the accident. Vijayan’s office citing him said that the chief minister shares the grief with the family members of the deceased.

The Indian envoy to Kuwait Adarsh Swaika also visited the injured Indian workers in Al-Adan hospital and assured them of all assistance. The Indian Embassy in Kuwait City also set up a helpline to aid those affected.

“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 render all possible assistance,” the embassy said.

The Indian envoy also visited Farwaniya Hospital in Kuwait City where he met six workers, most of them Indians, the Indian Embassy in Kuwait said via a post on X, along with photographs of the envoy interacting with injured workers.

He also visited Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital where 11 workers have been admitted after sustaining injuries in the fire. Of the 11 workers hospitalised there, 10 are expected to be released soon and the one other worker is in stable condition.

Farwaniya Hospital authorities, according to the Indian embassy, released four out of the six workers and shifted another to Jahra Hospital. Another worker who is being treated there continues to be in stable condition.

The Kuwaiti envoy to India said his office is following the probe that has been launched into the matter. “We are following the investigations in this matter. His Highness the Emir of the State of Kuwait, demands that the causes of the fire be quickly known and those responsible be held accountable,” Kuwaiti ambassador to India Meshal Mustafa J Alshemali said in a statement.

S Jaishankar on Wednesday said he was ‘deeply shocked’ on hearing that 41 people died in the fire that broke out in a building housing workers in the city of Mangaf in southern Kuwait. He said the Indian embassy in Kuwait has also launched a helpline number to help those impacted.

“Deeply shocked by the news of the fire incident in Kuwait city. There are reportedly over 40 deaths and over 50 have been hospitalised. Our Ambassador has gone to the camp. We are awaiting further information. 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,” he said.

The Indian Embassy in Kuwait also shared a helpline number and asked those in connection with the tragic fire-accident involving Indian workers to contact in case of any assistance. Adarsh Swaika, the Indian envoy to Kuwait, also visited the building filled with workers that was engulfed by fire. The workers, according to PTI, were employed by the same company.

“Ambassador Adarsh Swaika (@AdarshSwaika1) visited the tragic fire-incident site in Mangaf to ascertain the situation. (The) Embassy is in constant touch with relevant Kuwaiti law enforcement, fire-service and health authorities for necessary action and emergency medical health-care,” the embassy said in a post on social media site X, sharing two photos of the envoy in the impacted area.

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

Kuwait’s Deputy PM Blames Real Estate Owners

The country’s deputy prime minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah blamed real estate owners while accusing them of violations and greed.

“Unfortunately, the greed of real estate owners is what leads to these matters,” said Sheikh Fahad, who also runs the interior and defence ministries, was quoted as saying by news agency Reuters.

The fire was reported to authorities at 6:00am (local time), Major General Eid Rashed Hamad said.

“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. We always alert and warn against” cramming too many workers into housing accommodation,” another senior police commander told state TV.

Indians constitute 21 per cent (1 million) of the total population of Kuwait and 30% of its workforce (approximately 9 lakhs), a report by PTI said.

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