A tragic fire broke out in a building in Kuwait City on June 12, 2024, resulting in the death of more than 35 people and injuring dozens more. The building, located in the Mangaf area south of Kuwait City, housed nearly 200 foreign workers. The fire was reported at 6:00 am local time, with authorities stating that the number of fatalities had exceeded 35. Images from the scene showed the exterior of the six-storey building blackened by soot, with victims believed to have suffocated from rising smoke after the fire broke out on the ground floor.
The nationalities of the victims have not been announced, but the Indian ambassador to Kuwait confirmed that survivors from the fire were receiving medical treatment at a hospital. India’s Foreign Minister expressed shock at the news and extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragedy. The building’s owner has been detained for investigation into potential negligence, and authorities have warned of evacuating any properties found in violation of safety regulations.
Kuwaiti Interior Minister Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousef visited the scene of the fire and pledged to address issues of labor overcrowding and neglect. He stated that any properties found to have violated safety regulations will be evacuated immediately, and the owner of the property where the fire occurred will be detained until legal procedures are completed. The fire is described as one of the worst seen in Kuwait, highlighting the need for stricter safety measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Efforts are currently underway to ascertain the identities of the victims, with forensic teams working at the site to identify the deceased. The General Fire Department has reported that the victims died from suffocation due to smoke inhalation. Despite the tragic loss of life, Kuwaiti authorities are focused on ensuring accountability for the negligence that led to the disaster and taking measures to prevent similar incidents. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the importance of adhering to safety regulations and conducting regular inspections to safeguard the lives of residents and workers in buildings across Kuwait.
