Indians among 41 killed in Kuwait building fire

At least 41 persons, including Indians, died in a fire in a building in Kuwait on Wednesday, PTI reported. Several others were injured.

It was not immediately clear how many Indians had been killed in the fire.

The fire started in a kitchen in a six-storey building in Mangaf area in the southern Ahmadi Governorate of Kuwait City, the news agency reported quoting unidentified officials.

The building that caught fire housed 160 workers of a company. This included several Indians.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that there were “reportedly over 40 deaths and over 50 have been hospitalised”.

“Our Ambassador has gone to the camp,” he said in a social media post. “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.”

Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh is travelling to Kuwait to oversee assistance to Indians injured in the fire accident, ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. Singh will also coordinate with Kuwaiti authorities for early repatriation of mortal remains of those who have died in the accident, he added.

The Indian embassy in Kuwait released an emergency helpline number (+965-65505246) that can be reached...

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