On Wednesday, a tragic fire in Kuwait claimed the lives of at least 49 individuals in a building that housed foreign workers. Kuwait's Deputy Prime Minister blamed property owners for violations that may have contributed to the incident. The nationalities of the deceased were not immediately released by authorities. India's ambassador checked on the injured workers at hospitals, where over 30 Indian citizens were admitted, according to the embassy's social media post. The post also noted that at least 47 workers were treated in hospitals. Kerala's Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, reported several deaths of Indians, including those from Kerala, in a letter to India's Foreign Minister, which was shared with the press. A government agency for Keralites abroad stated that 41 Indians, including 11 from Kerala, had perished in the fire, though Reuters could not independently confirm this. Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah visited the site and criticized the greed of real estate owners. The specifics of any violations at the building were not immediately clear. Low-paid, blue-collar workers in the Gulf often reside in overcrowded conditions. The type of employment of the workers was not disclosed, but Kuwait heavily relies on foreign labor, particularly from South and Southeast Asia. An Egyptian survivor, a driver in Kuwait, recounted that the fire started on a lower floor, trapping those above. The building was engulfed in thick smoke. Three of the 11 Filipino workers were hospitalized, with the status of five others unclear and three safe, according to the Philippine migrant workers ministry. Emir Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Sabah ordered an immediate investigation into the fire's cause, promising accountability for any responsible officials. The interior ministry, reporting a death toll of 49, was investigating the site and identifying victims. The fire in Mangaf, south of Kuwait City, was reported at 6 a.m. and later contained, as reported by Major General Eid Rashed Hamad. A senior police commander noted many deaths from smoke inhalation and dozens of rescues, stating that authorities had warned against overcrowded accommodations but did not specify if regulations were violated. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on social media, praying for the injured to recover quickly.
Text: Lara Palmer
13.06.2024
Deputy Prime Minister Blames Property Owners for Violations, Investigation Launched