Tragic Kuwait Fire Claims Lives of 49, Including 42 Indians: Kerala Leads Relief Efforts
At least 49 people, predominantly foreign workers, lost their lives in a devastating fire at a residential building in Mangaf, southern Kuwait. The fire, which broke out early Wednesday, resulted in 42 Indian casualties, with many victims from Kerala. The building housed low-paid workers, highlighting concerns over living conditions for migrant laborers in the Gulf region.
Following the tragedy, Kerala’s government swiftly responded by announcing ₹5 lakh compensation for families of each deceased resident and ₹1 lakh for the injured. Industrialists MA Yusuff Ali and Ravi Pillai pledged ₹5 lakh and ₹2 lakh respectively per family of the deceased. Health Minister Veena George and NHM Director Jeevan Babu are heading to Kuwait to oversee medical operations and facilitate repatriation of bodies.
Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh has arrived in Kuwait to coordinate assistance for the injured and ensure the return of bodies, some of which were charred beyond recognition, requiring DNA tests for identification.
Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah ordered an immediate investigation into the incident, focusing on possible negligence. Indian authorities, including the embassy in Kuwait, are actively engaging with local authorities to expedite the process of identifying victims and arranging their return to India.
The tragic incident has prompted calls for stricter enforcement of safety regulations in labor accommodations across Gulf countries, where foreign workers form a significant part of the workforce in sectors like construction.
