At least 40 Indians are among the 49 people killed in a fire at a residential building in the Kuwaiti city of Mangaf, according to India’s foreign ministry. The blaze, which erupted on Wednesday, engulfed a building where dozens of workers resided.
Social media videos showed flames consuming the lower part of the building, while thick black smoke billowed from the upper floors. Authorities confirmed that many of the casualties were from the southern Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Additionally, around 50 Indians sustained injuries. Filipino and Nepali workers were also among the injured.
Kuwait’s population is predominantly composed of foreign workers, who are vital to the country’s construction and domestic sectors. Human rights organizations have frequently expressed concerns about their living conditions.
Local media reported that the building housed 196 workers, suggesting it may have been overcrowded. A senior police officer mentioned on state TV that a “large number” of people were in the building at the time of the fire. While many were rescued, numerous deaths resulted from smoke inhalation.
Interior Ministry spokesman Maj-Gen Eid al-Oweihan told state TV that the fire was reported at 06:00 local time (03:00 GMT) on Wednesday. It was later brought under control.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sent his condolences to the victims and their families.
“The fire mishap in Kuwait City is saddening,” he said on X.
“My thoughts are with all those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest.”
He said the Indian embassy was monitoring the situation and working with the authorities on the ground.
Kirti Vardhan Singh, a junior minister in the government who left for Kuwait on Thursday morning, said DNA tests were being carried out to identify the victims.
“An Air Force plane is on the ready. As soon as the bodies are identified, the kin will be informed and our Air Force plane will bring the bodies back,” he told news news agency ANI.
An eyewitness, Manikandan from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, told BBC Tamil that many of the workers had been on night shifts.
“Some of those who returned to that apartment early in the morning were cooking food after coming back from work,” he said.
“Once the fire erupted, it spread rapidly. People living in the building were not able to control the fire.”
Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf al-Sabah blamed property owners’ greed and violations of building standards for the tragedy. “Unfortunately, the greed of the property owners is what led to this,” Sheikh al-Sabah, who also serves as acting interior minister, told Reuters. “They violate regulations, and this is the result of the violations,” he added.
Interior Ministry spokesman Maj-Gen Eid al-Oweihan told state TV that the fire was reported at 06:00 local time (03:00 GMT) on Wednesday and was later brought under control.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the victims and their families. “The fire mishap in Kuwait City is saddening,” he said on X. “My thoughts are with all those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest.” He also mentioned that the Indian embassy is monitoring the situation and collaborating with local authorities.
Kirti Vardhan Singh, a junior minister in the Indian government, departed for Kuwait on Thursday morning. He stated that DNA tests are being conducted to identify the victims. “An Air Force plane is ready. As soon as the bodies are identified, the kin will be informed, and our Air Force plane will bring the bodies back,” he told news agency ANI.
An eyewitness, Manikandan from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, told BBC Tamil that many of the workers had been on night shifts. “Some of those who returned to that apartment early in the morning were cooking food after coming back from work,” he said. “Once the fire erupted, it spread rapidly. People living in the building were not able to control the fire.”