Kuwait Building Fire: 40 Indians dead; PM Modi chairs high-level meeting

Kuwait Building Fire: In a tragic incident, as many as 40 Indian workers among 49 persons died when a fire broke out in a six-storey building in Mangaf city, Kuwait, Wednesday morning. The fire first broke out in the kitchen at around 6 am local time (9 am IST). The building housed nearly 160 workers from the same company, many of whom were trapped as the fire spread rapidly.

Eyewitnesses said some desperate workers jumped from the fifth floor to escape the flames, resulting in several deaths. The Kuwaiti authorities have stated that over 40 persons were hospitalised due to injuries sustained in the fire.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his condolences to the victims’ families in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “The fire mishap in Kuwait City is saddening. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. The Indian Embassy in Kuwait is closely monitoring the situation and working with the authorities there to assist the affected,” he wrote.

Following the tragedy, a high-level meeting was convened at the Prime Minister’s residence to address the incident.

Foreign Minister S  Jaishankar also reacted to the incident with deep shock. “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,” he said. The Indian embassy in Kuwait has issued an emergency helpline number, 965-65505246, to assist those affected by the fire.

Indian Ambassador to Kuwait Adarsh Swaika visited the Al-Adan Hospital, where over 30 Indian workers injured in the fire had been admitted. The Indian Embassy in Kuwait posted on X, “Ambassador Adarsh Swaika visited the Al-Adan hospital where over 30 Indian workers injured in today’s fire incident have been admitted… Met a number of patients and assured them of full assistance from the embassy. Almost all are reported to be stable by hospital authorities.”

In response to the incident, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that Junior Foreign Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh would travel to Kuwait to provide assistance. “As directed by PM Narendra Modi, MoS for External Affairs KV Singh is urgently travelling to Kuwait to oversee assistance to those injured in the fire tragedy and to coordinate with the local authorities for early repatriation of mortal remains of those who have died in this unfortunate incident,” stated the MEA spokesperson.

Kuwaiti officials, including Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad al-Yousuf al-Sabah, visited the site of the fire. Sheikh Fahad, who also oversees the interior and defense ministries, has ordered the arrest of the building’s owner, attributing the tragedy to negligence and greed. “Unfortunately, the greed of real estate owners is what leads to these matters,” he remarked, as reported by Al Jazeera.

The fire, which resulted in several deaths due to smoke inhalation, underscores the dire need for stricter safety regulations and better living conditions for workers in such accommodations.