A devastating fire that swept through a building in Kuwait, housing foreign workers, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 40 Indian nationals and injuring more than 50 others, according to India’s external affairs ministry.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting to review the situation in the wake of the fire mishap in Kuwait. He posted on X: “GoI is doing everything possible to assist those affected by this gruesome fire tragedy.”
India’s Ambassador to Kuwait Adarsh Swaika visited Jahra Hospital to meet the injured Indian workers who were brought from Mangaf site.
It is reported that the building had reportedly had nearly 160 people living in it, who are workers of the same company. Local authorities have suggested that the blaze was linked to violations of building codes.
Kuwait’s Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah confirmed the grim toll during a visit to the site and ordered the arrest of the building’s owner, as reported by local media.
Minister Sheikh Fahad has now given orders to Kuwait Municipality and the Public Authority for Manpower to launch immediate action to address similar violations.
“What happened today is a result of the greed of company and building owners.”
MEA Dr S. Jaishankar spoke to Kuwaiti FM Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya on the fire tragedy in Kuwait. He posted on X: “Apprised of the efforts made by Kuwaiti authorities in that regard. Was assured that the incident would be fully investigated and that responsibility will be fixed. Urged the early repatriation of the mortal remains of those who lost their lives. He emphasized that those injured were getting the requisite medical attention.”
Prime Minister Modi expressed his condolences to the victims and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF to be given to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.
In response to the tragedy, India’s junior external affairs minister, Kirti Vardhan Singh, is in Kuwait to facilitate the early repatriation of the deceased and ensure medical assistance for the injured.
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