At least 40 Indian nationals died in a fire at an Indian labour camp in Kuwait on Wednesday. The fire was brought under control, and authorities are investigating the cause of the incident, according to KUNA(Kuwait News Agency).
Deputy PM Orders
Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister, Fahad Yusuf Al-Sabah, went to the location and asked the police to investigate a fire that occurred in Mangaf Block. The fire had caused several casualties, including Malayalis and Indians.
Kitchen Fire Spreads Quickly
The incident was reported to authorities at 6:00 am local time (0300 GMT), according to Major General Eid Rashed al-Oweihan from the Interior Ministry. Emergency responders quickly arrived on the scene to control the fire and begin investigating its cause.
The fire started in a kitchen in the six-story building early Wednesday, officials reported. Nearly 160 workers from the same company lived there. Eyewitnesses reported that some people jumped from the fifth floor to escape the fire and died.
The fire started was on one of the lower floors of the labour camp around 4:30 am on Wednesday. Initial investigations suggest that a short circuit caused the fire. From there, it quickly spread to all the rooms in the apartment building. The situation got worse because there were gas cylinders present.
Residents Jump to Escape
Some people tried to escape by jumping out of the building when they saw the fire, but tragically, they died from burns or from breathing in smoke. Others who were hurt in the fire were taken to hospitals for treatment. Thankfully, the fire has been put out.
Indian Authorities Response
Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar expressed deep shock, noting over 40 deaths and more than 50 people admitted to hospitals. He mentioned that the Indian Ambassador is at the camp and they are awaiting further information onsite.
