Major Fire in Kuwait Claims 40 Indian Lives: PM Modi Expresses Condolences

KUWAIT CITY - In a tragic incident on Wednesday, at least 40 Indian workers were among the 41 fatalities in a major fire that erupted in a building housing workers in Kuwait's southern Ahmadi Governorate. The six-storey building, located in the Mangaf area, housed over 160 workers. The blaze started in the building's kitchen, swiftly spreading through the structure.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his condolences and sorrow over the tragedy. "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," he said in a statement.

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Kuwait's Deputy Prime Minister, Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah, visited the site and confirmed the death toll. He has ordered the immediate arrest of the building's owner, the janitor, and the owner of the company responsible for the workers. 

In a statement, Sheikh Fahad blamed the incident on the negligence and greed of the building and company owners. "What happened today is a result of the greed of company and building owners," he said. Sheikh Fahad has directed the Kuwait Municipality and the Public Authority for Manpower to take swift action to prevent similar incidents. "I have given orders to launch immediate action to address similar violations where large numbers of workers are crammed into one residential building, and make sure that all safety requirements are in place in order to prevent similar incidents in the future," he added.

The Indian Embassy in Kuwait has been mobilized to provide support and assistance to those affected by the fire, ensuring that the needs of the injured and the families of the deceased are met.

This tragic event underscores the dire need for improved safety standards and better living conditions for migrant workers in the region. The authorities' response aims to prevent such disasters from recurring in the future.