Kuwait: Around 40 Indians killed, over 50 injured in fire at building housing foreign workers

Around 40 Indians died and more than 50 were injured after a fire broke out in a building housing workers in Mangaf city of southern Kuwait on Wednesday, according to India’s external affairs ministry.

Among those who died, 24 workers were from Kerala, reported The Indian Express citing official communication from the chief minister’s office.

The fire started in a kitchen of the six-storey building where nearly 160 workers employed in the same company were living. A total of 49 workers were killed, reported Kuwait Times.

After the blaze, Adarsh Swaika, the Indian ambassador in Kuwait, visited the site and also the hospitals where the injured were being treated, said the ministry.

“The embassy continues to coordinate with local authorities to assist Indian nationals who have been injured in this unfortunate incident and extend all possible support,” the ministry stated.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a review meeting regarding the incident and announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of those who died.

The prime minister’s office stated that Modi “expressed his deep sorrow at the unfortunate incident and extended condolences to the families of the deceased and wished speedy recovery of those injured”.

The Kerala government has also announced it will provide Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the Keralites who died and Rs 1 lakh...

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