A devastating fire tore through a building in southern Kuwait on Early Wednesday that housed many migrant workers. The tragedy resulted in the deaths of at least 49 people, 42 of them Indian nationals, and injured 50 others. In response, India has sent a high-level delegation to Kuwait to work with local authorities on bringing the bodies of the deceased back home.
The building was rented by the Indian construction company NBTC Group to accommodate over 195 workers, mainly from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh, according to Kuwaiti media. Most workers were men living without their families.
Among the 49 victims, 42 were Indian nationals. Fourteen of them were from Kerala, according to the Indian Express. The remaining victims were from Pakistan, the Philippines, Egypt, and Nepal, reported Onmanorama. Most of the deceased were aged between 20 and 50 years, as noted by The Arab Times.
News18 highlighted the loss of 29-year-old engineer Stephen Abraham Sabu from Pampadi in Kottayam, Kerala. He is survived by his mother Shirley and brothers Febin and Kevin. Another victim, Kelu Ponmaleri, 58, from Thrikaripur, had been employed as an engineer by NBTC for ten years and is survived by his wife KN Mani and their two children.
K Ranjith, 34, from Kasargod, worked as an accountant with NBTC and had been in Kuwait for a decade. He is survived by his parents Raveendran and Rugmini, and two siblings. Sajan George, 29, from Punalur, also perished, leaving behind his parents George Pothan and Valsamma, and his sister.
Vadakkottuvilayil Lukose, a 48-year-old supervisor from Kollam, had been in Kuwait for 18 years. He planned to return to India next month for his daughter’s college admission. He is survived by his wife Shiny and daughters Lydia and Lois. Shameer Umarudheen, 30, from Sasthamkotta, worked as a heavy vehicle driver for NBTC for five years. He is survived by his wife Surumi and parents Ummerudheen and Sabeena.
News18 also reported the death of Akash S Nair from Pandalam, who had been in Kuwait for eight years. PV Muraleedharan, a senior supervisor with 30 years in Kuwait, also died. He hailed from Vazhamuttom, Pathanamthitta. Chennasseril Saju Varghese, 65, from Konni, Kerala, had worked for NBTC for over two decades. He is survived by his wife Bindu and two children.
Sreehari Pradeep, a mechanical engineer from Changanassery, Kottayam, is survived by his parents Pradeep and Deepa. Other Indian victims identified by Onmanorama include Thomas Oommen from Tiruvalla, Viswas Krishnan from Dhamadom, Nooh and MP Bahulayan from Malappuram, Thomas Joseph, Praveen Madhav, Bhoonath Richard Roy Anand, Anil Giri, Muhammed Shareef, Dwarikesh Patnaik, Arun Babu, Raymond, Jesus Lopez, and Denny Baby Karunakaran
Facts massive fire
The fire broke out at 6 am local time in Mangaf, a city along the coast south of Kuwait City. Major General Eid Rashed Hamad told state television that many fatalities resulted from smoke inhalation, and dozens were rescued. The building housed a significant number of workers.
NDTV reported that the fire originated in the kitchen of the six-story building, while a senior Kuwaiti journalist told CNN-News18 that an intense heatwave, with temperatures exceeding 50 degrees Celsius, likely contributed to the tragedy. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, but Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah has ordered an immediate investigation and accountability for any responsible officials, according to Reuters.
Five government hospitals in Kuwait—Jahra, Adan, Jaber, Farwaniya, and Mubarak Al Kabeer—are treating the injured. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that most hospitalized patients are stable. Local authorities’ prompt response on Tuesday helped control the flames, and some people resorted to jumping from the first floor to escape, as reported by News18.
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar discussed the situation with his Kuwaiti counterpart Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya and was assured of a thorough investigation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia relief for each of the deceased’s families. Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh is traveling to Kuwait to assist with repatriation and medical support for the injured.
Before departing from Delhi Airport, MoS Singh noted that DNA tests are being conducted to identify the deceased, and an Air Force plane is on standby for transporting the bodies.
The Indian Embassy has established a helpline (+965-65505246) for family members seeking information and is providing regular updates.