Kuwait Fire in Building: Officials report that the blaze, which began in a kitchen of the six-storey building, impacted nearly 160 residents living there.
Kuwait launches investigation into fire disaster that claimed 49 lives, suspends an official; Indian envoy surveys the scene. Here’s the latest information.
1. Officials stated that the blaze originated in a kitchen within the six-storey building, which housed nearly 160 employees of the same company. According to eyewitnesses, some individuals leaped from the fifth floor to evade the fire and lost their lives.
2. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on X, lamenting the tragic fire in Kuwait City. He conveyed sympathy to the bereaved families, stating, “The fire incident in Kuwait City is heartbreaking. My thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones. I wish for a speedy recovery for the injured. The Indian Embassy in Kuwait is actively coordinating with local authorities to provide assistance.” Additionally, a high-level meeting is being held at the Prime Minister’s residence to address the situation.
3. Foreign Minister S Jaishankar stated that the Indian ambassador has visited the incident site. He expressed his shock at the news, mentioning, “I am deeply saddened by the fire incident in Kuwait City. Reports indicate over 40 fatalities and more than 50 people hospitalized. Our Ambassador is at the scene, and we are awaiting further details.”
4. The Indian Ambassador to Kuwait, Adarsh Swaika, posted on X that more than 30 Indian workers injured in the fire have been hospitalized. “Ambassador Adarsh Swaika visited Al-Adan Hospital, where over 30 Indian workers affected by today’s fire have been admitted. He met several patients, assuring them of full support from the embassy. Hospital authorities report that nearly all are in stable condition,” stated the Indian Embassy in Kuwait.
5. Junior Foreign Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh will travel to Kuwait to assist Indians injured in the fire, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The spokesperson stated, “Under PM Narendra Modi’s directive, MoS for External Affairs KV Singh is urgently heading to Kuwait to supervise aid for those injured in the fire and to coordinate with local authorities for the swift repatriation of the deceased’s remains.”
6. The Ambassador assured the patients of the Embassy’s full support during his visit. Indians represent 21 percent of Kuwait’s population (1 million people) and comprise 30 percent of the workforce, roughly 900,000 individuals.
7. A senior police officer informed Reuters that the building where the fire broke out was a residence for workers, housing a considerable number of them. While several were rescued, tragically, many lost their lives due to smoke inhalation from the fire.
8. The officer emphasized caution against overcrowding workers in housing but didn’t specify their job type or origin. The fire has been controlled, and investigations into its cause are underway.
9. Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad al-Yousuf al-Sabah visited the scene and instructed the arrest of the building’s owner, according to Al Jazeera. Sheikh Fahad, who oversees the interior and defense ministries, commented, “Regrettably, the avarice of real estate owners often results in such incidents.”
10. The president of an expatriate organization, present at the fire site, stated that at least 11 of the deceased were from Kerala.
11. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has urged External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to instruct the Indian Embassy to coordinate relief and rescue efforts with the Kuwaiti government.
12. The Indian embassy in Kuwait has established a helpline number to support Indian workers affected by the fire accident. They are offering all possible assistance to those in need. You can reach the emergency helpline at +965-65505246
Kuwait Helpline Number: +965-65505246
Kerala Gripped by Shock as Kuwait Labor Camp Fire News Emerges, Await Details on Casualties
Disturbing news indicating that numerous migrant workers from Kerala could be among the casualties in the devastating fire at a labor camp in southern Kuwait has deeply unsettled the state, leaving everyone anxious and concerned.
The state government is actively seeking further information on the casualties. They have reached out to the Central government and the Malayali community in Kuwait and other Gulf nations for additional details. Early reports suggest that at least 11 individuals from Kerala are feared to have lost their lives, with the casualty count possibly rising.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has reached out to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, urging the Indian embassy in Kuwait to expedite relief and rescue efforts.
According to Mr. Vijayan, the fire erupted at the NBTC camp in Manga, situated in southern Kuwait. He stated that at least 41 expatriate workers, including Indians, are feared dead. Additionally, numerous others have suffered severe burns and fall injuries. Mr. Vijayan expressed profound sadness over the tragic loss of lives among expatriate workers and extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
V.D. Satheesan, the Leader of the Opposition, expressed deep sorrow over the Kuwait disaster, stating that it has deeply saddened Kerala. He mentioned that the Opposition is in contact with expatriates in Kuwait.
Mr. Satheesan emphasized the importance of the Centre and the State collaborating to offer assistance and repatriate the deceased’s bodies to their hometowns. He expressed hope that the Union government would swiftly gather more information about the Indians who lost their lives or were injured in the fire.
According to Sharafudheen Kanneth, the head of the Inertial Ministry in Kuwait, the death toll from the fire is expected to rise as more charred bodies are recovered from the debris of the six-story building.
Of the 196 occupants, security agencies managed to rescue 67, while 60 were taken to hospitals across Kuwait for treatment.
The majority of the occupants in the building were Kerala workers, followed by individuals from Punjab, Nepal, and Bangladesh. Mr. Kanneth, who played a key role in the rescue efforts, noted that the high temperatures in Kuwait posed additional challenges for the rescue teams.
It’s suspected that three individuals were asleep in each room when the tragedy occurred, necessitating DNA tests to confirm the identities of the deceased.
Most victims succumbed to smoke inhalation as the fire originated on the ground floor of the camp owned by a native of Kerala.
Stay tuned for the most recent updates.
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