New Delhi: At least 41 people, including several Indians, have been killed and around 50 injured in a major fire which broke out in a building on Wednesday morning in the city of Mangaf, in southern Kuwait.
Around 160 people reportedly live in the building, all of whom are workers of the same company.
The incident was reported to authorities at around 6 am local time (8.30 am IST).
The fire started in a kitchen in the six-storeyed building, Major General Eid Rashed Hamad informed.
Videos of the raging flooded social media.
Devastating fire in Mangaf claims over 30 lives, death toll expected to risehttps://t.co/vLjOSC06W9 pic.twitter.com/qX6Z6GwE7k
— The Times Kuwait (@thetimesq8) June 12, 2024
Kuwait: 41 people killed and dozens were injured in a building fire in the city of #Mangaf in southern #Kuwait. 160 people living in it, who are workers of the same company. #FireAccident #Building #DeathToll #Mangaf pic.twitter.com/bxpkCOr8rA
— Swamy (@SwamyJourno) June 12, 2024
The Health ministry of Kuwait said 43 people were hospitalised following the fire incident, and four of those succumbed to their injuries.
Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah confirmed the fatalities but didn’t disclose the nationalities of those who lost their lives, local media reported.
The minister, who visited the site, ordered the arrest of the building’s owner.
The Indian Embassy in Kuwait has set up an emergency helpline number for Indian workers — +965 65505246.
“The embassy has put in place an emergency helpline number +965-65505246. All concerned are requested to connect over this helpline for updates. The embassy remains committed to rendering all possible assistance,” officials announced on X.
India’s Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased.
“Deeply shocked by the news of the fire incident in Kuwait city. There are reportedly over 40 deaths and over 50 have been hospitalised. We are awaiting further information. Our Embassy will render the fullest assistance to all concerned in this regard,” Jaishankar wrote on X.
The Indian ambassador, who visited Al-Adan hospital, said almost all are stable according to hospital authorities.
