Massive fire in Kuwait building, 49 workers including 40 Indians killed, more than 30 injured

A massive fire broke out on Wednesday in a building housing workers in Kuwait’s Mangaf city. 49 people, including 40 Indians, are reported dead in the accident. While more than 30 people are reported to be injured. Most of the deaths have been due to suffocation. 5 of the dead were from Kerala. Officials said that the fire broke out in the kitchen of a six-storey building located in Mangaf area of ​​​​Kuwait’s southern Ahmadi governorate in the early hours of Wednesday. The fire was brought under control after a lot of effort.

According to the report of ‘Manorama’, the building in which the fire broke out belongs to Malayali businessman KG Abraham’s NBTC Group. About 160 people live in the building. The deceased people worked in this company. According to the report, KG Abraham is a businessman from Thiruvalla, Kerala. His company has been a part of Kuwait’s Oil and Industries since 1977.

Fire broke out in the kitchen on the ground floor

According to the news of ‘Kuwait Times’, the accident happened on Wednesday morning around 6 am Indian time. According to the report, the fire that started in the kitchen on the ground floor spread rapidly to the 6-storey building. In such a situation, people got trapped inside. Most of the migrant laborers live in the building. It is being told that many people were also living illegally. Indians make up 21% (10 lakh) of the total population of Kuwait. They are 30% (about 9 lakh) in the workforce.

PM Modi tweeted

PM Narendra Modi has also expressed grief over the fire in the building in Kuwait. PM Modi wrote on the X handle, “The fire incident in Kuwait is sad. My condolences are with all those who lost their loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. The Indian Embassy in Kuwait is closely monitoring the situation. Officials are also providing help.”

More people were living in the building than its capacity

News agency Reuters quoted a senior official as saying, “The rescue team rescued many people from the building. But unfortunately, many people died due to suffocation due to the smoke of the fire.” The official did not give information about the employment of the workers and their country, but said that more people were living in the building than its capacity. Warnings were also given several times regarding this.

Indian Ambassador met the injured

Meanwhile, Indian Ambassador Adarsh ​​​​Swaika has also reached the spot. He has met the injured. The Indian Embassy is providing all possible help to the injured.

Indian Embassy released helpline number

The Indian Embassy in Kuwait said in a post on the social media platform X, “In connection with the tragic fire accident involving Indian workers today, the Embassy has released an emergency helpline number +965-65505246. All concerned people are requested to connect to this helpline for updates. The Embassy is committed to help in every possible way.”

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in a post on ‘X’, “Very sad to hear the news of the fire incident in Kuwait City. It is reported that more than 40 people have died. More than 50 people are hospitalized. Our ambassador has gone to the spot. We are awaiting further information.”

He said, “My deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this tragic incident. I wish the injured a speedy recovery. Our embassy will provide full assistance to all concerned in this regard.”