A devastating fire broke out in a residential building in Mangaf, Kuwait, early Wednesday morning, killing at least 49 people, many of whom were foreign workers. The incident has drawn attention to the living conditions of migrant laborers in the Gulf region and has prompted calls for an urgent investigation into potential safety violations.
The fire started at around 6:00 a.m. local time (0300 GMT) in a kitchen on the lower floor of the six-story building, quickly engulfing the structure and trapping residents on the upper floors. Major General Eid Rashed Hamad, a senior police commander, reported that the blaze was contained later in the morning, but not before claiming a significant number of lives due to smoke inhalation.
The nationalities of the victims were not immediately disclosed by local authorities. However, India's ambassador to Kuwait visited hospitals where injured workers were being treated. The Indian embassy reported that more than 30 Indian citizens had been admitted to hospitals, with at least 47 workers receiving treatment for injuries.
Several reports indicated a high number of Indian casualties, particularly from the southern state of Kerala. Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in a letter to India's Foreign Minister, confirmed the deaths of several Indians, including 11 from Kerala.
Visiting the site of the fire, Kuwait's Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah attributed the tragedy to violations by property owners. "The greed of real estate owners is what leads to these matters," he said, though it remains unclear if specific violations at the building in question were identified.
SHOCKING! Around 40 Indian nationals were killed in a building fire at an labour camp in Kuwait.
There is no saftey for Indian workers in middle east. Strong protest needed! pic.twitter.com/KkWfP8xdFm — Indian Tech & Infra (@IndianTechGuide) June 12, 2024
The building housed nearly 160 workers from the same company, highlighting the overcrowded living conditions often faced by low-paid migrant laborers in the Gulf region. These workers, hailing from South and Southeast Asia, are employed in industries such as construction, which heavily rely on foreign labor.
An Egyptian survivor, who worked as a driver, recounted the harrowing experience to local media. He described how the fire started on a lower floor and quickly filled the building with thick smoke, making escape impossible for those on higher levels.
Kuwait's Emir, Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, has ordered an immediate investigation into the cause of the fire, with a promise to hold accountable any officials found responsible. The Interior Ministry is leading the investigation, searching the site for victims and working to identify those who perished.
In response to the tragedy, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and offered support to the families of the victims. "My thoughts are with all those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest," he posted on social media platform X.
Congress leaders in India also urged the Ministry of External Affairs to provide all possible assistance to the victims and their families. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and General Secretary K C Venugopal expressed their anguish and called for immediate aid and proper housing facilities for Indian laborers in the Middle East.
The fire in Mangaf is a stark reminder of the appalling conditions in which many migrant workers live. The overcrowded accommodations, often lacking basic safety measures, pose significant risks to the residents. The incident has prompted renewed calls for better housing facilities and stricter enforcement of safety regulations to ensure the well-being and dignity of migrant workers.
