11 Malayalees dead in Kuwait fire: Kollam victim identified; emergency hotline number issued – WORLD – GULF

KUWAIT CITY: One of the Malayales who died in the fire at the Malayali-owned labor camp in Mangaf town in southern Kuwait has been identified. Umaruddin Shamir (33), a native of Kollam Oyoor, died. News agency reports indicate that a total of 11 Malayalees died. 49 people died in the accident, including 30 Indians. Information on the other deceased will be released soon.

195 employees of the NBTC company from Block Four of Mangaf lived in the building. The company is owned by Malayali businessman KG Abraham. The fire broke out around four o'clock today. The first conclusion is that the fire started in the kitchen of the labor camp. Many people were injured. When the fire broke out, many people jumped out of windows. Many of them were seriously injured. Kuwaiti Minister Al Yousaf and the Indian Ambassador arrived there. Local Malaysians told media that everyone in the building had been evacuated.

Kuwaiti Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah ordered the arrest of the owner and caretaker of the building that caught fire. It was found that a large number of people were accommodated in the building in violation of safety standards. Following the fire, the Kuwaiti Interior Minister ordered the arrest of the owners of all buildings where the workers were illegally staying and the initiation of legal proceedings. After visiting the accident site, the minister said that what happened today was the result of the greed of the company and the building owners. Indian Foreign Minister Dr S Jaishankar said the accident in Kuwait was shocking. He informed that the Indian Embassy would provide all assistance. Jaishankar wrote on X that he is awaiting further information and offered his condolences to the family members of the deceased.

The Embassy has set up an emergency telephone assistance number: +965-65505246.

Deeply shocked by the news of the fire in Kuwait City. There are reportedly more than 40 deaths and more than 50 people hospitalized. Our ambassador has gone to camp. We are awaiting further information.

Our deepest condolences to the families of those who tragically lost…

– Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 12, 2024

The fire that hit Kuwait City is saddening. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover as soon as possible. The Indian Embassy in Kuwait is closely monitoring the situation and working with the country's authorities to assist… https://t.co/cb7GHN6gmX

-Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 12, 2024