A devastating blaze erupted in a residential building in Mangaf, Kuwait on June 12, 2024, killing at least 49 people, all of whom were foreign workers. The flames reportedly originated on a lower floor, specifically in the guard’s room, and rapidly engulfed the entire structure in heavy smoke, trapping the occupants on the upper floors.
According to Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister, Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah, the catastrophe was largely the fault of property owners and possible breaches of building codes. “The greed of real estate owners leads to these matters,” Al-Sabah declared during his visit to the scene. It is, however, still unconfirmed whether any specific regulatory infringements were involved.
Among the fatalities were a considerable number of Indian nationals, 46 by one account, along with three Filipinos. The Indian ambassador went to local hospitals where victims were receiving treatment for injuries. More than 30 Indian nationals were hospitalized, and a minimum of 47 workers were being treated. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan mentioned in a letter that several Indians, including Keralites, were among the deceased.
The Indian government has been actively involved in providing support to the victims and their families. The bodies of the Indian nationals who lost their lives in the fire were flown back to India. Union Minister VK Singh, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and other political leaders received the bodies at Cochin International Airport in Kerala. The Indian Air Force facilitated the repatriation of the bodies, ensuring they were treated with respect.
The company that employed the victims, NBTC Group, announced compensation for the bereaved families and the injured workers. Each affected family is set to receive roughly $9,734.32, while those injured will receive approximately $2,433.58, along with full coverage of medical costs.
Following the tragic incident, Kuwaiti authorities have initiated an investigation into the cause of the fire. Major General Eid Rashed Hamad informed state television that the fire was first reported at 6 a.m. and later contained. Preliminary findings suggest an electrical short circuit as the likely culprit, with further investigations revealing that flammable materials used in the building’s partitions accelerated the spread of smoke.
A high-ranking police officer disclosed that many victims succumbed to smoke inhalation. He added that authorities had previously issued warnings about the dangers of overcrowding workers in single accommodations. Despite these alerts, the building was home to around 195 migrant workers. The interior ministry is continuing its efforts to locate victims and identify the deceased.
The incident has left a profound impact on the families of the victims, many of whom were expecting their family members to return home shortly. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his condolences, stating, “My sympathies go out to everyone who has lost loved ones. I hope for a swift recovery for the injured.”
An Egyptian survivor who worked as a driver shared his terrifying experience with local media. He recounted how the fire began on a lower floor and how the building quickly filled with dense smoke, making escape for those on higher floors impossible.
The incident has brought to light the hazardous living conditions of low-wage, blue-collar workers in the Gulf region, where overcrowded and unsafe housing is often the norm. This tragedy has sparked renewed demands for stricter enforcement of safety regulations. Kuwaiti authorities have pledged to implement necessary measures to prevent such disasters in the future. The public prosecutor’s office has ordered the detention of individuals associated with the incident on manslaughter charges due to safety negligence.
The Indian government has underscored the need for enhanced protection and support for Indian migrant workers overseas.
