New Delhi, June 12, 2024: Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s directive, Minister of State for External Affairs, K.V. Singh is urgently travelling to Kuwait. His mission is to oversee the assistance provided to those injured in the recent fire tragedy and to coordinate with local authorities for the prompt repatriation of the deceased.
“As directed by PM @NarendraModi, MOS for External Affairs @KVSinghMPGonda is urgently travelling to Kuwait to oversee assistance to those injured in the fire tragedy and to coordinate with local authorities for early repatriation of those who have died in the unfortunate incident,” tweeted Randhir Jaiswal, Spokesperson of the MEA.
In a devastating fire that broke out early Wednesday in a building in Mangaf, southern Kuwait, at least 45 people, including several Indians, South Asians, and East Asians, lost their lives, according to local media reports. The building housed a large Indian population. However, official confirmation from authorities regarding the number of Indian casualties is still pending.
Prime Minister Modi expressed his condolences on X: “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.”
More than 50 Indians are reported injured and are receiving treatment in various hospitals. Ambassador Adarsh Swaika, based in Kuwait, along with his team, personally visited the three hospitals where approximately 30, 6, and 11 workers were admitted. Several have since been released after treatment.
The embassy in Kuwait has provided an emergency telephone number for those seeking further help or information: “In connection with the tragic fire accident involving Indian workers today, the embassy has put in place an emergency number +965 65505246. All concerned are requested to connect over the helpline for updates. The embassy remains committed to rendering all possible assistance.”
Minister of External Affairs Dr S. Jaishankar, who is personally supervising the situation and in regular contact with the Indian embassy and authorities, expressed his deep shock over the incident. On X, he stated, “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. My 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.”
The fire, which occurred in a building used to house workers, was reported to authorities at 6:00 a.m. local time (0300 GMT), according to Major General Eid Rashed Hamad. Senior police officers informed state media that the building was densely populated, contributing to the high number of casualties. Dozens were rescued, but many succumbed to smoke inhalation.
More than 40 people were killed, and dozens were injured after a fire broke out at dawn in a building housing nearly 200 foreign workers in Kuwait, officials said on Wednesday. Forty-three people were injured, according to the health ministry, in the blaze in the Mangaf area south of Kuwait City, which is heavily populated with migrant labourers.
Images from the scene showed soot blackening the exterior of the six-story building, which housed 196 workers, according to information provided to the minister by their employer. Oil-rich Kuwait has large numbers of foreign workers, many from South and Southeast Asia, mostly working in construction or service industries. According to a source in the General Fire Department, the victims suffocated from rising smoke after the fire broke out on the ground floor. Forensic teams are working at the site and have identified three bodies so far, Owaihan said.
The blaze is one of the worst seen in Kuwait, which borders Iraq and Saudi Arabia and sits on about seven percent of the world’s oil reserves.
In 2009, 57 people died when a Kuwaiti woman, apparently seeking revenge, set fire to a tent at a wedding party when her husband married a second wife. Nusra al-Enezi threw petrol on the tent and set it alight as people celebrated inside. She was hanged in 2017 for the crime, whose victims included many women and children.