Kuwait's Deputy PM says, at least 49 labourers killed after massive fire in whole building in Mangaf

A fire broke out in a building housing workers in the city of Mangaf in southern Kuwait early on Wednesday, killing at least 41 people, Kuwait's Deputy Prime Minister said. Later, the death count icreased to 49. The incident was reported to authorities at 6:00 a.m. local time (0300 GMT), Major General Eid Rashed Hamad said. "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.

"We always alert and warn against" cramming too many workers into housing accommodation, he said, without providing details on the workers' type of employment or place of origin. The Kuwaiti health ministry said about 43 people



were hospitalized 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. The authorities said they had contained the fire and were investigating what caused it.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday expressed grave concerns over the death of over 40 people who were killed in a tragic fire incident in Kuwait. He said that the Indian Embassy in Kuwait is closely monitoring the situation and assured full support to the victims. "The fire mishap in Kuwait City is saddening. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. The Indian Embassy in Kuwait is closely monitoring the situation and working with the authorities there to assist the affected," PM Modi wrote on X.