Indian Ambassador visits an injured person. Image: X post
At least 43 people killed in apartment blaze in Kuwait
KUWAIT CITY, June 12, 2024
More than 40 people were killed in a fire in an apartment building housing workers in the city of Mangaf in Kuwait’s southern Ahmadi Governorate.
An initial report by the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Wednesday said at least 35 people were killed in the fire.
The Kuwaiti health ministry said about 43 people were hospitalised due to the fire, and four of those people had died. It wasn't clear if the four fatalities were in addition to the 35 reported by police.
However, Malayala Manorama, an Indian newspaper, reported that the fire in the six-storeyed building left 43 people dead and at least 40 others injured. According to reports, 10 Indians, including five from the southern state of Kerala, were also killed in the blaze.
The fire originated from a kitchen in one of the lower floors within the labour camp at 4.30 am on Wednesday. The fire quickly spread to all the rooms in the apartment, said the report citing sources.
A few individuals, who leaped out of the apartment upon noticing the blaze, were killed, it stated.
Others succumbed to burn injuries and asphyxiation after inhaling smoke. Several people, who were injured in the fire, have been admitted to Adan, Jaber and Mubarak hospitals, the state media reported.
The incident was reported to authorities at 6am local time (0300 GMT), reported Reuters, citing a senior police commander.
The blaze has been brought under control and an investigation was underway to find out the cause, said Major General Eid Rashed Hamad.
"The building in which the fire occurred was used to house workers, and there was a large number of workers there. Dozens were rescued, but unfortunately there were many deaths as a result of inhaling smoke from the fire," another senior police commander told state TV.
Indian Ambassador Adarsh Swaika visited the Al-Adan hospital where over 30 Indian workers who were injured are currently undergoing treatment.
A post in X said he met a number of patients and assured them of full assistance from the Embassy. Almost all are reported to be stable by hospital authorities.
