A devastating fire broke out in a Kuwait building early on Wednesday, with reports indicating over 50 fatalities, including a significant number of Indian nationals. It is believed that more than 40 victims were Indian citizens.
The fire incident has caused shock waves from Kuwait to India. The Kuwaiti government, identifying negligence as a factor, has arrested the building owner and others involved. The fire has been described as a result of greed.
How did the fire suddenly ignite?
In the southern part of Kuwait, the NBTC Group had rented the building, which was home to 196 individuals, exceeding the capacity. Reports suggest that workers were crammed into the building against their will.
Source: aajtak
Workers returned from night shifts were sleeping
The fire started around 4 am on Wednesday. It began in the six-story building's kitchen and spread everywhere. Most residents, returning from night shifts, were caught asleep and didn't stand a chance to escape due to overcrowding. Some people attempted to save themselves by jumping from their floors.
Source: aajtak
The Interior Minister stated that most deaths were due to suffocation, while Kuwait's Emir Mishal Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah has ordered an investigation into the incident.
A severe oversight was that the building had only one entry gate, and the rooftop was entirely sealed, preventing any chance of rooftop evacuation.
Questions raised by the Kuwait government?
Following the fire, the Kuwait government promptly swung into action. The Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al Yousef Al Sabah visited the site and ordered the arrest of the building owner.
Source: aajtak
He noted violations of the residential law, as foreign workers were forced to live in extremely unsafe conditions to save costs for the company's owners.
The building's owner is a Malayali businessman
The building, engulfed in flames, is owned by a Malayali businessman named KG Abraham. His company has been part of Kuwait's oil and industry since 1977. The deceased workers were employed by his company.
Kuwait's economy heavily relies on foreign workers
Kuwait's economy largely depends on a significant number of foreign laborers working in the construction industry. There is a substantial population of Indians in Kuwait, with approximately one million Indians currently residing there, including laborers, engineers, doctors, chartered accountants, software experts, and technicians.
Cited as one of the worst fires in Kuwait's history, this event precedes an incident in 2009 when a woman set fire to a wedding ceremony out of vengeance, resulting in the deaths of 57 people.
