At least 40 Indians were among the 41 killed and injuring dozens more on Wednesday in a major fire at a building in Kuwait housing workers. The building, located in Mangaf area in Kuwait’s southern Ahmadi Governorate, was housing over 160 workers. The fire started in a kitchen in the six-storey building.
The country’s deputy prime minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah visited the site and confirmed that at least 41 workers were killed.
The external affairs minister S Jaishankar sent his condolences to the families of affected workers and said the embassy will extend all needed support and assistance to those impacted by the fire.
Amb @AdarshSwaika visited the Al-Adan hospital where over 30 Indian workers injured in today’s fire incident have been admitted. He met a number of patients and assured them of full assistance from the Embassy. Almost all are reported to be stable by hospital authorities. pic.twitter.com/p0LeaErguF
— India in Kuwait (@indembkwt) June 12, 2024
The Indian envoy to Kuwait Adarsh Swaika also visited the injured Indian workers in Al-Adan hospital and assured them of all assistance. The Indian Embassy in Kuwait City also set up a helpline to aid those affected.
S Jaishankar on Wednesday said he was ‘deeply shocked’ on hearing that 41 people died in the fire that broke out in a building housing workers in the city of Mangaf in southern Kuwait. He said the Indian embassy in Kuwait has also launched a helpline number to help those impacted.
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.
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 12, 2024
Deepest condolences to the families of those who tragically lost…
The Indian Embassy in Kuwait has issued a helpline number and said the fire accident involved some Indian workers and the Embassy will render all possible assistance.
The Ambassador met the patients and assured them of full assistance from the Embassy.
“The building in which the fire occurred was used to house workers, and there were many workers there. Dozens were rescued, but unfortunately, there were many deaths as a result of inhaling smoke from the fire,” News agency Reuters reported quoting a senior police commander.
“We always alert and warn against” cramming too many workers into housing accommodation, he said, without providing details on the workers’ type of employment or place of origin.
