In a devastating fire that broke out in a residential building in Mangaf, southern Kuwait, 49 people lost their lives, including 24 individuals from Kerala. The incident occurred on Wednesday morning and has resulted in severe casualties and injuries. Local authorities have detained the building’s owner to investigate possible negligence.
Key developments include:
- Cause of Fire: An electrical short circuit has been identified as the cause of the blaze, which led to the tragic deaths and injuries.
- Immediate Response: India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, arrived in Kuwait to oversee the assistance efforts. An Indian Air Force jet is on standby to bring back the bodies of the deceased.
- State Support: The Kerala government has announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹1 lakh for the injured. Prominent industrialists MA Yusuff Ali and Ravi Pillai have pledged additional financial support to the affected families.
- Casualty and Injury Update: Besides the 24 Keralites, seven others from Kerala are seriously injured. The overall death toll includes 42 Indians, with the remainder from other countries such as Egypt, Nepal, Pakistan, and the Philippines.
- Government Actions: Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah has ordered an immediate investigation into the fire. The Indian embassy is coordinating with Kuwaiti authorities to provide relief and facilitate the repatriation of the mortal remains.
The tragedy has prompted a crackdown on housing violations by local authorities. The Indian community, especially in Kerala, is reeling from the loss, with many families awaiting news and support from the government and local authorities.
