Kuwait fire: Blaze broke out on lower floor, spread through building | What we know so far

At least 41 people lost their lives in the tragedy. The victims reportedly include several Indians too.

Published on: Jun 12, 2024, 16:20:11 IST

By HT News Desk, New Delhi

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

In a major tragedy, several Indians are feared to be among at least 41 people killed after a fire broke out in a building in Kuwait’s southern Mangaf district on Wednesday morning.

A picture shows a building which was ingulfed by fire, in Kuwait City, on June 12, 2024. More than 35 people were killed and dozens injured in a building fire in an area heavily populated with foreign workers in Kuwait, the interior ministry said. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)

Also Read | Kuwait fire: 5 Indians among 41 people killed in building fire in Mangaf

“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,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Here’s what we know so far:

(1.) According to reports, the blaze broke out at 4:30 am (local time) in a kitchen on a lower floor and quickly spread through the residential apartment, leaving people trapped. The authorities were informed only at 6 am.

(2.) Nearly 160 people, workers of the same company, were living in the building, as per Kuwait Times. Meanwhile, Onmanorama, a Kerala-based website said that as many as five people from the state are among 10 Indians who lost their lives in the fire incident.

(3.) The website further claimed that the building, which housed workers from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and north India, belongs to the NBTC Group, owned by KG Abraham, a Malayali businessman. It added that the while the blaze has been doused, several individuals remain trapped.

(4.) Kuwait’s Interior Minister visited the scene and held the owners responsible. “What happened today is the result of the greed of the company and building owners. I have ordered immediate action to address similar violations where a large number of workers are crammed into one residential building,” said Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah.

(5.) The Indian embassy has released the following emergency helpline number: +965-65505246. Adarsh Swaika, the Indian envoy, also visited the site to ascertain the situation.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Kuwait

Get the latest headlines from US news and global updates from Pakistan, Nepal, UK, Bangladesh, Russia and US Iran war Live, get all the latest headlines in one place on Hindustan Times.