A tragic fire broke out in a building housing foreign workers in Kuwait, resulting in the death of at least 49 people. This incident has drawn attention to the living conditions of foreign laborers in the Gulf region and has prompted calls for accountability.
Incident Details
On June 12, 2024, a fire erupted in a residential building in Mangaf, southern Kuwait. The fire caused severe damage and resulted in numerous casualties, with the death toll reaching 49. Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister, Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah, has accused property owners of violating safety regulations, contributing to such fatal incidents.
Casualties and Injuries
The nationalities of the deceased have not been fully disclosed, but it is reported that a significant number of Indian workers were affected. The Indian ambassador visited hospitals where over 30 Indian citizens were being treated for injuries. According to a letter from Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, several Indian nationals, including 11 from Kerala, died in the fire. A government agency for Keralites living abroad reported that 41 Indians, including those from Kerala, were among the deceased. These figures are yet to be independently verified by Reuters.
Eyewitness Accounts
Survivors described harrowing scenes as the fire spread rapidly through the building. An Egyptian survivor working as a driver in Kuwait told local media that the fire started on a lower floor, and thick smoke quickly filled the building, trapping those on higher floors.
Response and Investigation
Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah attributed the tragedy to the “greed of real estate owners,” suggesting violations of safety regulations. Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah has ordered an immediate investigation, promising accountability for any officials found responsible. The Interior Ministry is actively investigating the incident, searching the site for victims, and working to identify those who died.
Living Conditions of Foreign Workers
This incident highlights the overcrowded and often unsafe living conditions of low-paid, blue-collar workers in the Gulf region. These workers, primarily from South and Southeast Asia, are essential to industries such as construction. The fire underscores the need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations and better living conditions for foreign laborers.
International Impact
The fire has also affected Filipino workers. According to the Philippine migrant workers ministry, three out of eleven Filipino workers in the building were hospitalized, five remained unaccounted for, and three were reported safe.
Conclusion
The fire in Mangaf, Kuwait, is a tragic reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by foreign workers in the Gulf region. As investigations continue, there is a pressing need for improved safety measures and living conditions to prevent such disasters in the future.
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Written By Joe Brens