In a tragic incident early Wednesday, at least 40 Indian nationals lost their lives and dozens were injured when a fire engulfed a six-storey building in Kuwait’s southern Ahmadi Governorate. The building, located in the Mangaf area, housed low-paid, blue-collar workers, primarily from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and northern Indian states. The fire is reported to have started in a kitchen on one of the lower floors.
Casualties and Immediate Response
According to reports, most of the victims were asleep when the fire broke out, leading to numerous fatalities due to smoke inhalation. The deceased ranged in age from 20 to 50 years. The building was rented by the NBTC group, owned by Malayali businessman KG Abraham, and accommodated workers in overcrowded conditions—a common issue for low-wage workers in the Gulf.
Kuwait’s deputy prime minister, Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah, who also serves as the minister of interior, attributed the tragedy to the “greed of the company and building owners.” He has ordered the arrest of the building owner, the building’s janitor, and the owner of the company responsible for the workers.
More Read
Indian Government’s Actions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened an urgent high-level meeting to address the situation. Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, announced his imminent departure for Kuwait to oversee relief operations and coordinate the repatriation of the deceased’s remains.
The Ministry of External Affairs has activated an emergency helpline (+965-65505246) to provide updates to families and concerned parties. Indian Ambassador to Kuwait, Adarsh Swaika, has been actively visiting the incident site and hospitals where the victims are being treated. These hospitals include Al-Adan Hospital, Farwaniya Hospital, Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital, and Jahra Hospital, which are collectively treating over 50 injured Indian nationals.
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
Deeply shocked to know about the devastating fire incident of Kuwait, which has already taken a toll of more than 40 lives. My condolences to the bereaved families.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) June 12, 2024
I have instructed my Chief Secretary and Resident Commissioner in Delhi to be in constant touch with Ministry of…
Deeply saddened by the tragic fire accident at the flat complex in Mangaf, Kuwait, claiming over 40 lives and injuring many. Reports indicate that several Keralites are among the victims. Wrote to the Hon'ble External Affairs Minister, @DrSJaishankar, requesting to ensure…
— Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) June 12, 2024
Reactions and Ongoing Efforts
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has appealed to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to direct the Indian Embassy in Kuwait to enhance their relief and rescue operations. The Indian Embassy, in collaboration with Kuwaiti authorities, is working tirelessly to ensure medical care for the injured and to facilitate the repatriation process for the deceased.
Expatriate organizations are also playing a crucial role in the aftermath of the fire. An expatriate organization president at the site confirmed that at least 11 of the deceased were from Kerala.
Calls for Accountability
The tragic incident has raised serious concerns about the living conditions of migrant workers in Kuwait. The deputy prime minister has mandated immediate action from the Kuwait Municipality and the Public Authority for Manpower to rectify similar violations across the country.
Political Reactions
The fire has elicited widespread grief and calls for action from various political leaders in India. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee have both expressed their condolences and urged the Indian government to extend all necessary assistance to the victims and their families.
As investigations continue and relief efforts ramp up, the incident underscores the dire need for improved living conditions and safety measures for migrant workers in the Gulf region. The Indian and Kuwaiti governments are expected to work closely to address the immediate aftermath and prevent such tragedies in the future.
