Fifty people, mostly Indians, died in a tragic fire that broke out in a building housing foreign workers in the suburb of Mangaf, south of the Kuwaiti capital. The Kuwaiti Foreign Minister, Abdallah Al-Yahya, reported the incident on Thursday, June 13th. The latest update given by the authorities indicated 49 deaths, with one of the injured succumbing to their injuries either last night or this morning.
The majority of the victims are reported to be of Indian nationality, according to the Kuwaiti Foreign Minister. Additionally, three Filipino workers were among the casualties, with two others in critical condition and the remaining six safe. The Kuwaiti government is working closely with Indian authorities to repatriate the victims, and the bodies will be flown back to India.
The victims tragically died from smoke inhalation as the fire quickly spread through the building. The cause of the fire is still unknown, and investigations are ongoing. The building, which housed 196 workers, quickly became engulfed in flames, causing panic and chaos among the residents.
The Kuwaiti authorities have arrested the building owner as part of the investigation into possible negligence that may have led to the deadly fire. The Kuwaiti Interior Minister, Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahd Al-Sabah, visited the site of the incident to assess the situation and provide support to the victims and their families.
In light of this devastating incident, the Gulf nation has announced plans to compensate the victims and their families for their losses. The Kuwaiti government is taking steps to ensure that such tragedies are prevented in the future and that safety measures are strictly enforced in all residential buildings housing foreign workers.
This heartbreaking incident serves as a reminder of the risks faced by migrant workers living in overcrowded and often unsafe conditions. It is essential for governments and employers to prioritize the safety and well-being of all workers, regardless of their nationality, to prevent such disasters from reoccurring in the future.