In Mangaf, southern Kuwait, tragedy struck early Wednesday as a devastating fire engulfed a building utilized to accommodate workers, claiming the lives of at least 35 individuals, revealed senior police officials in statements to state media.
The distressing incident was brought to the attention of authorities at 6:00 a.m. local time (0300 GMT), as Major General Eid Rashed Hamad conveyed details of the catastrophic event.
“The building that was engulfed by the fire served as a residence for workers, hosting a significant number of individuals. While numerous were successfully rescued, regrettably, many lost their lives due to smoke inhalation resulting from the fire,” shared another high-ranking police official in an interview with state television.
#BREAKING [1]: 53 people killed and 40 injured in a Mangaf building fire in Kuwait’s Southern Ahmadi Governorate. 5 among those killed are Indian. Indian Ambassador to Kuwait has left for the labour camp where fire erupted. Kuwait Govt orders massive demolition of illegal buildings. pic.twitter.com/P08oPG6iPO [2]
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) June 12, 2024 [3]
Emphasizing a longstanding concern, the police commander cautioned against overcrowding worker accommodation facilities, stressing the potentially dire consequences of such practices. However, specific information regarding the nature of the workers’ employment or their origins was not disclosed.
Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah ordered police to apprehend the owner of the Mangaf building where a fatal blaze that occurred Wednesday, the building’s janitor, as well as the owner of the company responsible for the workers who live in said building pending… pic.twitter.com/wDZrE03oeJ [4]
— KUWAIT TIMES (@kuwaittimesnews) June 12, 2024 [5]
The Kuwaiti health ministry disclosed that approximately 43 individuals were hospitalized in the aftermath of the fire, with four tragic fatalities reported among the hospitalized individuals. It remained unclear whether the four deaths were included in the 35 fatalities previously reported by law enforcement.
Amidst the devastating aftermath, authorities confirmed that the fire had been successfully contained, with investigations underway to determine the cause of the catastrophic blaze.