A devastating fire broke out in a six-storey residential building in Kuwait’s Mangaf city, resulting in the deaths of 49 people, including 40 Indians. The blaze, which started in the kitchen, occurred at around 6 am local time (9 am IST). The building was home to nearly 160 workers of the same company.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on social media platform X, offering thoughts and prayers for the victims and their families. He assured that the Indian Embassy in Kuwait is actively engaged with local authorities to assist those affected. Modi has also convened a high-level meeting to discuss the situation.
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar revealed that the Indian Ambassador to Kuwait had visited the incident site and confirmed that over 40 people had been hospitalized. The Indian Embassy in Kuwait has established a helpline (+965-65505246) to assist affected families and provide support.
Ambassador Adarsh Swaika visited Al-Adan Hospital, where over 30 injured Indian workers are being treated. Hospital authorities reported that most of the injured are stable. The embassy has pledged full assistance to the injured and their families.
Junior Foreign Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh is being dispatched to Kuwait to oversee the assistance efforts and coordinate the repatriation of the deceased’s remains. This directive comes from Prime Minister Modi, emphasizing the urgency and importance of the matter.
Indians make up a significant portion of Kuwait’s population, constituting 21% (1 million) of the total population and 30% (approximately 900,000) of the workforce. The affected building was primarily used to house workers, which contributed to the high number of casualties.
A senior police officer reported that many fatalities were due to smoke inhalation. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire and have criticized the overcrowding in worker accommodations. Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad al-Yousuf al-Sabah visited the site and ordered the arrest of the building owner, attributing the tragedy to the greed of real estate owners.
The fire in Kuwait has highlighted the risks faced by expatriate workers in densely populated housing. The Indian government is actively involved in providing aid and ensuring the safety and repatriation of its citizens affected by this tragic event.
