Authorities alerted 1.5 hours after blaze broke out; Deputy PM blames 'greed of real estate owners'

OVER 40 people, including several Indians, have been killed in a devastating fire in a building housing labourers in Kuwait City, officials said on Wednesday. Kuwait's Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah has blamed the "greedy real estate owner" for the unfortunate accident.

Here is what we know so far: 

Media reports suggest that the blaze first broke out in a kitchen on a lower floor apartment at about 4:30 am (local time). As it engulfed the apartment, people were left trapped there.
But what is shocking is that the local authorities were not informed till 6 am.

The building housed over 160 workers of the same company, according to the Kuwait Times.

While the Onmanorama, a Kerala-based website, reported that there were at least 10 Indians who lost their lives in the fire, of which 5 were from the southern state.

Officials said the majority of the victims of the fire are Indians, mostly from Kerala.

The building is reportedly owned by a Malayali businessman KG Abraham's NBTC Group. It housed workers from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and northern India.

According to the Onmanorama report, several individuals remain trapped in the building even after the blaze was doused.

Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s Interior Minister has blamed the "greed of real estate owners" for the fire incident. "Unfortunately, the greed of real estate owners is what leads to these matters"

"I have ordered immediate action to address similar violations where a large number of workers are crammed into one residential building.”

Taking to microblogging platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Prime Minister Modi said, “The fire mishap in Kuwait City is saddening. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. The Indian Embassy in Kuwait is closely monitoring the situation and working with the authorities there to assist the affected.”

Expressing deep condolences to the families of those who tragically lost their lives, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar wished early and full recovery to those injured. Jaishankar said the Indian ambassador had gone to the camp and would render the fullest assistance to all concerned.

“Deeply shocked by the news of the fire incident in Kuwait City. There are reportedly over 40 deaths, and over 50 have been hospitalised. Our Ambassador has gone to the camp. We are awaiting further information,” Jaishankar said

“Deepest condolences to the families of those who tragically lost their lives. Wish early and full recovery to those who have been injured. Our Embassy will render the fullest assistance to all concerned in this regard,” Jaishankar added.