Kuwait — In a tragic incident, a massive fire that broke out in an apartment building in Mangaf, south of Kuwait City, has claimed the lives of 49 people, including 40 Indian workers. The victims hail from Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Kerala.
Government Response:
Kuwait’s Deputy Premier, Defense and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Saba, who visited the site on Wednesday, has ordered the arrest of the Kuwaiti landlord of the building and the Egyptian guard, as reported by Kuwait Times. Sheikh Fahad announced that the Public Authority of Manpower will study the issue of overcrowding of expatriate workers in buildings and ensure compliance with safety regulations starting Thursday.
Indian Government’s Reaction:
Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh has left for Kuwait to oversee the situation and the repatriation of the victims’ remains. He noted the complexity of the identification process due to severe burns suffered by the victims, necessitating DNA tests.
Investigation and Cause:
A probe has been initiated to determine the cause of the fire. Col Sayed Al-Mousawi, Head of Investigations at the Kuwait Fire Department, revealed that inflammable materials used as partitions between apartments and rooms contributed to the spread of the fire and the resulting dense smoke. Many victims reportedly suffocated while trying to escape down smoke-filled staircases.
Victims and Casualties:
The fire, which erupted on a lower floor of the residential building in the Mangaf area of Kuwait’s southern Ahmadi Governate, spread quickly through the structure. Among the 49 dead, 11 were from Kerala, while others were from Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. The identities of several victims from Kerala have been confirmed:
- Akash S Nair (23)
- Umarudheen Shameer (33)
- Stefin Abraham Sabu (29)
- Rengith K R (33)
- Kelu Ponmaleri (55)
- P V Muraleedharan
- Sajan George
- Lukose (48)
- Saju Varghese (56)
Other Indian victims identified include Thomas Joseph, Praveen Madhav, Bhoonath Richard Roy Anand, Anil Giri, Muhammad Shareef, Dwarikesh Patnaik, Viswas Krishnan, Arun Babu, Raymond, Jesus Lopez, and Denny Baby Karunakaran.
Medical Response:
At least 35 people have been placed in the intensive care unit, with seven in critical condition and five on ventilator support, as reported by Onmanorama.
Condolences and Support:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the tragic loss and assured that the Indian Embassy in Kuwait is closely coordinating with local authorities to provide assistance. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also expressed his condolences, stating that the Indian Ambassador has visited the affected area to offer support.
“Our deepest condolences to the families of those who tragically lost their lives. We wish a full and speedy recovery to those injured. Our Embassy will provide the fullest assistance,” Jaishankar posted on X.
This devastating incident underscores the critical need for stringent safety measures in residential buildings and highlights the precarious conditions faced by expatriate workers. The Indian government, along with Kuwaiti authorities, is working diligently to manage the aftermath and support the victims’ families.
