Dubai/Kuwait The number of Indians killed in a massive fire in Kuwait City has risen to 46 as one more person has died as authorities said the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit in the guard room on the ground floor of the building. Due to which a fire broke out. The fire that killed 50 people.
Most of the deaths were caused by smoke inhalation when the fire broke out early Wednesday in Kuwait's southern Ahmadi Governorate while residents of the six-story building were sleeping. The building was home to 196 migrant workers, mostly Indians.
"One of the injured died during the night", Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah al-Yahya told reporters, raising the death toll of Indians to 46.The Kuwait Times newspaper reported on Friday that the three other deceased were Filipinos and that the identity of one of the victims had not been established.
The investigation team of the fire department said on Thursday that the fire broke out due to an electrical short circuit in the building guard's room and spread to other places. The guard's room is located on the ground floor.
The newspaper cited security sources as saying that there were 179 workers inside the building when the fire broke out, while 17 were outside. Of the 196 residents, 175 are Indians, 11 are Filipinos and the rest are from Thailand, Pakistan and Egypt. According to an official, many victims suffocated while trying to run down the stairs as they were filled with smoke.He said that the victims could not go to the terrace as the door was closed.
The English daily Arab Times, citing a press statement, reported that teams from the Accident Investigation Department have completed their technical inspection, which includes analyzing samples of fire debris and conducting interviews with witnesses present during the incident.
The newspaper said that their investigation revealed that the fire started in the security guard's room located on the ground floor of the six-storey building. Experts from the investigation department carefully examined the site to determine the exact cause of the fire. The statement said their findings clearly point to an electrical short circuit as the root cause.It said the discovery underlines the importance of following electrical safety protocols to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.
Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, who serves as First Deputy Prime Minister, Interior Minister and Defense Minister, on Thursday led an overall inspection campaign on illegal properties in several areas of Kuwait. The minister said the public Dr. Noura Al-Mashan, Minister of Construction and Municipalities, launched its inspection campaign in Al-Mangaf, Al-Mahboula, Khaitan and Jileb Al-Shuyukh.
The Ministry of Interior, Kuwait Municipality, Kuwait Fire Force, Ministry of Electricity and Water and Public Authority for Manpower participated in the campaign.
Kuwait Municipality said on Thursday that its teams have closed 568 irregular basements of residential and commercial buildings in the past ten months.Personnel issued 1,639 citations and "blocked" 596 properties. In addition, 189 cellars filled with various unlicensed items were evacuated. Citing sources from the Public Authority of Manpower (PAM), the newspaper said that the National Health and Safety Center, affiliated with the PAM, was deployed in all governorates of Kuwait. Will launch a massive campaign in labor housing, especially in places where a large number of workers live.
Meanwhile, a Kuwaiti national and several foreigners have been arrested on charges of murder and causing injuries due to negligence in safety and security measures following the fire incident.
"The Public Prosecution has mandated the temporary detention of a Kuwaiti citizen and several expatriates on charges of murder and injuries due to negligence in safety and security measures following the fire incident in Al-Mangaf area," the newspaper reported."Kuwait's public prosecutor has launched an investigation into the incident. The investigation aims to uncover the circumstances behind the incident and what could have caused the deadly fire," the public prosecutor said on X.
Indians constitute 21 percent of Kuwait's total population (1 million) and 30 percent of its workforce (about 9 lakh).
Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Meshaal al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah has issued instructions for the distribution of financial assistance to the families of the deceased, Sheikh Fahd said, without specifying the amount of compensation.
Most of the deaths were caused by smoke inhalation when the fire broke out early Wednesday in Kuwait's southern Ahmadi Governorate while residents of the six-story building were sleeping. The building was home to 196 migrant workers, mostly Indians.
"One of the injured died during the night", Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah al-Yahya told reporters, raising the death toll of Indians to 46.The Kuwait Times newspaper reported on Friday that the three other deceased were Filipinos and that the identity of one of the victims had not been established.
The investigation team of the fire department said on Thursday that the fire broke out due to an electrical short circuit in the building guard's room and spread to other places. The guard's room is located on the ground floor.
The newspaper cited security sources as saying that there were 179 workers inside the building when the fire broke out, while 17 were outside. Of the 196 residents, 175 are Indians, 11 are Filipinos and the rest are from Thailand, Pakistan and Egypt. According to an official, many victims suffocated while trying to run down the stairs as they were filled with smoke.He said that the victims could not go to the terrace as the door was closed.
The English daily Arab Times, citing a press statement, reported that teams from the Accident Investigation Department have completed their technical inspection, which includes analyzing samples of fire debris and conducting interviews with witnesses present during the incident.
The newspaper said that their investigation revealed that the fire started in the security guard's room located on the ground floor of the six-storey building. Experts from the investigation department carefully examined the site to determine the exact cause of the fire. The statement said their findings clearly point to an electrical short circuit as the root cause.It said the discovery underlines the importance of following electrical safety protocols to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.
Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, who serves as First Deputy Prime Minister, Interior Minister and Defense Minister, on Thursday led an overall inspection campaign on illegal properties in several areas of Kuwait. The minister said the public Dr. Noura Al-Mashan, Minister of Construction and Municipalities, launched its inspection campaign in Al-Mangaf, Al-Mahboula, Khaitan and Jileb Al-Shuyukh.
The Ministry of Interior, Kuwait Municipality, Kuwait Fire Force, Ministry of Electricity and Water and Public Authority for Manpower participated in the campaign.
Kuwait Municipality said on Thursday that its teams have closed 568 irregular basements of residential and commercial buildings in the past ten months.Personnel issued 1,639 citations and "blocked" 596 properties. In addition, 189 cellars filled with various unlicensed items were evacuated. Citing sources from the Public Authority of Manpower (PAM), the newspaper said that the National Health and Safety Center, affiliated with the PAM, was deployed in all governorates of Kuwait. Will launch a massive campaign in labor housing, especially in places where a large number of workers live.
Meanwhile, a Kuwaiti national and several foreigners have been arrested on charges of murder and causing injuries due to negligence in safety and security measures following the fire incident.
"The Public Prosecution has mandated the temporary detention of a Kuwaiti citizen and several expatriates on charges of murder and injuries due to negligence in safety and security measures following the fire incident in Al-Mangaf area," the newspaper reported."Kuwait's public prosecutor has launched an investigation into the incident. The investigation aims to uncover the circumstances behind the incident and what could have caused the deadly fire," the public prosecutor said on X.
Indians constitute 21 percent of Kuwait's total population (1 million) and 30 percent of its workforce (about 9 lakh).
Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Meshaal al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah has issued instructions for the distribution of financial assistance to the families of the deceased, Sheikh Fahd said, without specifying the amount of compensation.
