Over 40 Indians were killed and more than 50 others were injured in a massive fire that broke out at a multi-story building in Kuwait's Mangaf, which was housing foreign workers.
The total number of people killed in the Al-Mangaf building was 49 and 42 of them are learnt to be Indians; the remaining ones are Pakistani, Filipino, Egyptian and Nepali nationals, officials said.
They said that most of these deaths were due to smoke inhalation while residents were sleeping, adding that a significant number of occupants were evacuated.
Kuwaiti news agency KUNA said the blaze broke out early Wednesday. An investigation was also launched to probe the cause of the fire, authorities said.
The fire reportedly started in a kitchen in the six-storey building in the southern Ahmadi Governorate. Kuwait's Interior Ministry said that the death toll from the tragic fire reached 49.
"Unfortunately, we received a report of a fire at... exactly 6:00 am (0830 IST) in the Mangaf area," Major General Eid Al-Owaihan, head of the interior ministry’s General Department of Criminal Evidence, said.
According to a report by Onmanorama building, which housed approximately 195 labourers from a nearby commercial area along with several Malayalis, is owned by KG Abraham, a Malayali businessman, under the NBTC group.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sadness over the tragedy and said that the Indian Embassy in Kuwait is "closely monitoring the situation and working with the authorities there to assist the affected".
Reacting to the Kuwait fire incident, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on X, "Deeply shocked by the news of the fire incident in Kuwait city. There are reportedly over 40 deaths and over 50 have been hospitalized."
"Our Ambassador has gone to the camp. We are awaiting further information. Deepest condolences to the families of those who tragically lost their lives. Wish early and full recovery to those who have been injured. Our Embassy will render the fullest assistance to all concerned in this regard," Jaishankar added.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said that he was "shocked and saddened" by the 'horrific' tragedy in Kuwait. Taking to X, he wrote, "My deepest condolences go out to the bereaved families, and I wish a speedy recovery to all those injured."
"The condition of our workers in the Middle East is a serious matter of concern. The Government of India, working alongside its counterparts, must prioritise the safety of our citizens and ensure dignified living standards," he added.
"All concerned are requested to connect over this helpline for updates. Embassy remains committed to render all possible assistance," the embassy said.
Notably, Adarsh Swaika, India's Ambassador to Kuwait, visited the site of the incident in Mangaf and took stock of the situation. He also visited the Al-Adan hospital to check in with over 30 Indian workers, who suffered injuries in the fire incident.
PM MODI HOLDS MEET; ANNOUNCES EX-GRATIA; MOS MEA TO VISIT KUWAIT
Minister of State of External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, will on an urgent-basis, travel to Kuwait to oversee assistance to those injured in the fire tragedy, MEA said after receiving directions from PM Modi.
Singh will also coordinate with local authorities for early repatriation of mortal remains of victims of the fire tragedy, the External Affairs Ministry added.
Singh noted that the Prime Minister had called for a meeting with the top officials, following which he will be leaving for Kuwait.
Present at the meeting were External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, KV Singh, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Pramod Kumar Mishra, along with Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
After the meeting, Singh said, "We stand with the victims of the Kuwait fire incident, we express our sympathy to them. We had a meeting with PM Modi and tomorrow morning we are travelling to Kuwait."
"We will take stock of the situation and those who are admitted to the hospital. The identification process of those who have died is underway...The maximum people are from Kerala and other parts of South India," he added.
The MEA also said that PM Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the Indian nationals who lost their lives in the fire tragedy.
KUWAIT AMBASSADOR EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES
The Ambassador of the State of Kuwait, Meshal Mustafa J Alshemali, expressed sincere condolences for the victims of the fire incident.
"May God bless the victims with His vast mercy and forgiveness, and make them dwell in His spacious Paradise. And inspire their families and loved ones that the injured person recovers quickly and recovers well," Alshemali said in a statement.
"We are following the investigations in this matter. His Highness the Emir of the State of Kuwait, demands that the causes of the fire be quickly known and those responsible be held accountable," the Ambassador added.
KUWAITI MINISTER ORDERS PROBE INTO MISHAP
Kuwait's Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah ordered an investigation into the fire incident and issued directions to apprehend the owner and janitor of the Al-Mangaf building.
"What happened today is a result of the greed of the company and building owners," Al-Sabah was quoted as saying by Kuwait Times.
Notably, Kuwait's deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah visited the site of the incident and blamed violations of norms and greed by the real estate owners for the incident, reports from Kuwaiti media said.
KERALA CM WRITES TO S JAISHANKAR
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to MEA S Jaishankar, seeking the Centre's intervention in the Kuwait fire incident which claimed over 40 lives, including many Malayalis.
Vijayan condoled the loss and termed the incident to be "utmost painful". In his letter to Jaishankar, the Kerala CM wrote, "I request your goodself to give necessary directions to the Indian Embassy to coordinate relief and rescue operations by getting in touch with the Government of Kuwait."
In view of the fire incident and the lost lives, the Kerala government also decided to cancel the Loka Kerala Sabha's inaugural conference, seminar and other related programmes on Thursday.
Vijayan's office issued another statement about the Global Contact Centre which has been set up in NORKA Roots to provide emergency assistance in connection with the mishap. Additionally a help desk has also been opened in Kuwait, based on the CM's directions.
(with agency inputs)
