THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Kuwait City, June 12: At least 40 Indians were among the 41 killed 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, reports News 18.
The external affairs minister S Jaishankar sent his condolences to the families of affected workers in a social media post and said the embassy will extend all needed support and assistance to those impacted by the fire.
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.
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
“In connection with the tragic fire-accident involving Indian workers today, the Embassy has put in place an emergency helpline number: +965-65505246. All concerned are requested to connect over this helpline for updates. The Embassy remains committed to render all possible assistance,” the embassy said.
The Indian envoy also visited Farwaniya Hospital in Kuwait City where he met six workers, most of them Indians, the Indian Embassy in Kuwait said via a post on X, along with photographs of the envoy interacting with injured workers.
He also visited Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital where 11 workers have been admitted after sustaining injuries in the fire. Of the 11 workers hospitalised there, 10 are expected to be released soon and the one other worker is in stable condition.
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Farwaniya Hospital authorities, according to the Indian embassy, released four out of the six workers and shifted another to Jahra Hospital. Another worker who is being treated there continues to be in stable condition, as reported by News 18.
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 hospitalised. Our Ambassador has gone to the camp. We are awaiting further information. 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,” he said.
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.
Deepest condolences to the families of those who tragically lost…
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 12, 2024
The Indian Embassy in Kuwait also shared a helpline number and asked those in connection with the tragic fire-accident involving Indian workers to contact in case of any assistance. Adarsh Swaika, the Indian envoy to Kuwait, also visited the building filled with workers that was engulfed by fire. The workers, according to PTI, were employed by the same company.
“Ambassador Adarsh Swaika (@AdarshSwaika1) visited the tragic fire-incident site in Mangaf to ascertain the situation. (The) Embassy is in constant touch with relevant Kuwaiti law enforcement, fire-service and health authorities for necessary action and emergency medical health-care,” the embassy said in a post on social media site X, sharing two photos of the envoy in the impacted area.
“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.
The country’s deputy prime minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah blamed real estate owners while accusing them of violations and greed, as reported by News 18.
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“Unfortunately, the greed of real estate owners is what leads to these matters,” said Sheikh Fahad, who also runs the interior and defence ministries, was quoted as saying by news agency Reuters.
The fire was reported to authorities at 6:00am (local time), Major General Eid Rashed Hamad said.
“The building in which the fire occurred was used to house workers, and there was a large number of workers there. Dozens were rescued, but unfortunately there were many deaths as a result of inhaling smoke from the fire. We always alert and warn against” cramming too many workers into housing accommodation,” another senior police commander told state TV.
Indians constitute 21 per cent (1 million) of the total population of Kuwait and 30% of its workforce (approximately 9 lakhs), a report by PTI said. (Courtesy: News 18)
