More than 40 Indians were killed and more than 50 others injured when a devastating fire broke out at dawn in a building housing around 195 migrant workers in the Mangaf area of southern Kuwait, officials reported on Wednesday. The total death toll in the Al-Mangaf building reached 49, including 42 Indian nationals, with the remaining casualties comprising Pakistani, Filipino, Egyptian, and Nepali nationals.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the fire incident as “saddening” and convened a meeting with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, and Principal Secretary to the PM PK Mishra to review the situation.
An official statement noted that PM Modi expressed deep sorrow over the “unfortunate incident” and extended condolences to the families of the deceased. He announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh to each of the families of the deceased Indian nationals from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh is urgently traveling to Kuwait following the prime minister’s directive to oversee assistance to the injured Indians and to ensure the early repatriation of the mortal remains of those killed.
The official statement mentioned that PM Modi wished a speedy recovery to those injured and directed the government to extend all possible assistance.
“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,” PM Modi said 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… https://t.co/cb7GHN6gmX
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 12, 2024
Jaishankar also conveyed deep shock over the incident and assured that the Indian embassy in Kuwait would offer “fullest assistance” to all those affected. Officials noted that the majority of the Indian victims are from Kerala.
“In connection with the tragic fire accident involving Indian workers today, Embassy has put in place an emergency helpline number: +965-65505246. All concerned are requested to connect over this helpline for updates. Embassy remains committed to render all possible assistance,” the Indian Embassy in Kuwait said in a post on X.
Non-Resident Keralites Affairs has also established a Help Desk regarding the fire incident in Kuwait. The following are the contact numbers:
+965 90039594
+965 66893942
+965 60615153
+965 66015200
+965 51714124
+965 55575492
+965 99861103
+965 60311882
+965 65589453
+965 555464554
+965 99122984
Non-resident Keralites can reach out to the 24-hour NORCA Global Contact Center using toll-free numbers:
1800 425 3939 (from India)
+91-8802 012 345 (from abroad, missed call service).
#WATCH | Delhi: On returning from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, PM Narendra Modi held a meeting to review the situation relating to the fire incident in Kuwait. pic.twitter.com/lL0xdnX94s
— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2024
The fire in the Al-Mangaf building was reported to authorities in Al-Ahmadi governorate at 4:30 am, with most of the deaths attributed to smoke inhalation. Kuwaiti media reported that the fire originated in a kitchen. Kuwait’s interior ministry has confirmed that the death toll has reached 49.
“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,” Jaishankar said on X.
“Deepest condolences to the families of those who tragically lost their lives. Wish early and full recovery to those who have been injured,” he added.
Indian ambassador to Kuwait Adarsh Swaika visited multiple hospitals, including those where the injured have been admitted.
According to Kuwaiti media, the construction firm NBTC group had leased the building to accommodate over 195 workers, predominantly Indians from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and northern states. Officials mentioned that the NBTC group has partial Indian ownership.
Kuwait’s Interior Ministry announced that personnel from the criminal evidence department are actively engaged in identifying the victims and investigating the cause of the fire. They assured stringent actions against building owners found violating regulations.
“Unfortunately, we received a report of a fire at… exactly 6:00 am (0300 GMT) in the Mangaf area,” major general Eid Al-Owaihan, head of the interior ministry’s General Department of Criminal Evidence, said.
Kuwait’s health ministry stated that the injured were distributed across several hospitals, with 21 taken to Al-Adan Hospital, six to Farwaniya Hospital, one to Al-Amiri Hospital, and 11 to Mubarak Hospital.
Officials in Delhi verified that Indian embassy representatives are visiting the hospitals where the victims were admitted. The precise count of fatalities and injuries will be established once the details are confirmed.
“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,” the Indian embassy said on X.
“Almost all are reported to be stable by hospital authorities,” the statement added.
Ambassador Swaika also inspected the location of the fire.
The Indian embassy is coordinating with Kuwaiti law enforcement agencies, the fire service, and the health department to take appropriate measures.
Kuwait’s Interior Minister, Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah, has instructed an inquiry into the fire and ordered the arrest of the building’s owner and janitor.
“What happened today is a result of the greed of the company and building owners,” Al-Sabah was quoted as saying by Kuwait Times.
Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister, Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah, visited the fire site and attributed the incident to violations of regulations and the greed of real estate owners. Kuwaiti authorities have launched an investigation into the fire.