As many as 49 persons including more than 40 Indians were killed following fire in a six story building in Kuwait. As per reports, more than fifty persons were injured. They were all being treated in hospitals in Kuwait.
The Indians and other were all crammed in a low paid building and were all workers working in different business ventures and establishments in Kuwait.
Looking at the seriousness of the tragedy PM Narendra Modi rushed minister of state for foreign affairs KV Singh to take stock of the situation and ensure that bodies were flown to India without difficulties.
The dead were aged between 20 to 50 years and were all workers.
The incident took place in Ahmadi province.
According to local media, foreign workers had been living in several buildings in this area. Besides India there were workers from Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Occupants in this building were said to be asleep when fire reportedly broke out in a kitchen.
As a result several died due to suffocation.
The PM announced ex gratia payment of Rs two lakh to the families of the dead.
Foreign minister S. Jaishankar said on X he was deeply shocked over the incident and wishes speedy recovery of the injured.
According to reports home minister of Kuwait has ordered arrest of the building owner, owner of the company where the workers were employed along with the guard on duty.
Several top officials of the municipal corporation have been suspended.
PM Narendra Modi has expressed deep condolence to the members of families of all those who lost their lives in this tragedy. He said, he wishes speedy recovery of all the injured in this tragedy.
He said, Indian Embassy in Kuwait was keeping an eye on the situation and was rendering all help.
