40 Indians among 49 killed in Kuwait apartment fire

mangaloretoday.com

Kuwait, June 12, 2024: Forty Indians were among 49 killed after a fire broke out in a building housing workers in Kuwait’s Mangaf city. The incident happened at 6 am local time (9 am IST). Kuwaiti officials said over 40 people have been hospitalised. A massive fire engulfed a multi-storey building in Kuwait housing foreign workers, mostly Indians, early on Wednesday, killing at least 49 people and injuring more than 50 others, according to officials.

The fire started in a kitchen in the six-storey building in Mangaf area in Kuwait’s southern Ahmadi Governorate in the early hours of Wednesday, officials said.

The building reportedly had nearly 160 people living in it, who are workers of the same company. Director General of the Forensic Department Maj Gen Eid Al-Owaihan said the death toll has exceeded 35,with 15 injured individuals admitted to hospitals, four of whom later died, English language daily Arab Times reported. He said that the majority of the deceased were Indian nationals, with ages ranging between 20 and 50 years, the paper added.

Sources said that five fire fighters sustained injuries during the rescue operation, Most deaths were due to smoke inhalation while residents were sleeping, and a significant number of occupants were evacuated, it added.

"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 remains committed to render all possible assistance," the Indian Embassy in Kuwait said in a post on X.