–Vinod Kumar
A devastating fire in a six-storey building housing workers in Mangaf city, Kuwait, reportedly claimed the lives of more than forty people and left dozens injured early Wednesday morning, officials reported. The blaze started in a kitchen and quickly spread through the building.
Among the deceased are ten Indian nationals, including five from Kerala. The building housed approximately 195 laborers, many from Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and is owned by the NBTC group, a company led by Malayali businessman KG Abraham. The building, which accommodates around 195 labourers from the nearby commercial area, housed people from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and north India. Employees at NBTC’s supermarket also lived in the building.
The Indian Embassy in Kuwait has established a helpline number (+965-65505246) for those seeking information. The helpline can be reached via phone, WhatsApp calls, and messages. Ambassador of India to Kuwait, Adarsh Swaika, visited Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital,Farwaniya Hospital where workers injured in the fire were admitted. Ten of these workers are expected to be released today, while one remains in stable condition. The Ambassador met with the hospitalized patients and assured them of the Embassy’s full support. Additionally, Ambassador Swaika inspected the fire-incident site in Mangaf to assess the situation. The Indian Embassy is coordinating with Kuwaiti law enforcement, fire services, and health authorities to ensure necessary actions and emergency medical care are provided.
