Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah has called for an investigation into the cause of the fire in Mangaf city, which resulted in the deaths of at least 49 people, and vowed to hold those responsible accountable. Kuwait’s ambassador to India, Meshal Mustafa J Alshemali, expressed his condolences and sympathy to the victims of the fire, which claimed at least 49 lives.
On Wednesday, Kuwait’s Interior Ministry updated the death toll to 49, up from the previously reported 41, after forensic teams searched the charred building, according to Al Jazeera. “My sincere condolences and deepest sympathy to the victims of the unfortunate fire accident that led to the death and injury of dozens this morning, in one of the Kuwaiti towns,” said the ambassador.
“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,” he added.
Ambassador Alshemali further emphasized their commitment to following the investigations. “We are following the investigations in this matter,” he said. “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.”
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh is urgently traveling to Kuwait, following instructions from PM Modi, to oversee assistance to Indians injured in the fire in a southern city of the country early on Wednesday. The minister will also coordinate with local authorities for the early repatriation of the mortal remains of those who have died.
“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 mortal remains of those who have died in this unfortunate incident,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X.
Following the fire in Kuwait City, the Indian ambassador to Kuwait, Adarsh Swaika, visited Al-Adan hospital, where over 30 Indian workers are being treated. The ambassador confirmed that over 30 Indian workers were injured in the fire. Earlier in the day, the Indian envoy also visited the incident site in Mangaf to assess the situation and emphasized that the embassy is in touch with the concerned authorities for necessary action.