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At least 40 Indians are among the 49 people who were killed in a fire at a residential building in Mangaf, Kuwait, as reported by India’s foreign ministry.The blaze erupted on Wednesday in a structure housing numerous workers. Social media videos depicted the lower section of the building consumed by flames and heavy black smoke pouring out from the upper levels. Officials indicated that many victims hailed from Kerala and Tamil Nadu in southern India. Additionally, around 50 Indians sustained injuries. Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, expressed his sympathies to the victims and their loved ones.He said on X, “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.”He mentioned that the Indian embassy was keeping a close watch on the situation and coordinating with local officials.Kirti Vardhan Singh, a junior minister in the Indian government who travelled to Kuwait on Thursday morning, reported that DNA tests were being performed to identify the victims.He stated, “An Air Force plane is on the ready. As soon as the bodies are identified, the kin will be informed and our Air Force plane will bring the bodies back.”Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister, Sheikh Fahad Yusuf al-Sabah, blamed property owners’ greed and stated that non-compliance with building standards caused the tragedy.Sheikh al-Sabah, who is also acting interior minister, stated, “Unfortunately the greed of the property owners is what led to this.“They violate regulations and this is the result of the violations.”Interior Ministry spokesman Maj-Gen Eid al-Oweihan informed state TV that the fire was reported at 06:00 local time (04:00 WAT) on Wednesday and was subsequently brought under control.An eyewitness named Manikandan, from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, said that many of the workers had been on night shifts.“Some of those who returned to that apartment early in the morning were cooking food after coming back from work,” he said.“Once the fire erupted, it spread rapidly. People living in the building were not able to control the fire.”Local media reports indicate that the building accommodated 196 workers, raising concerns about possible overcrowding.A senior police officer informed state TV that a “large number” of people were inside the building when the fire broke out.Adding that warnings were often issued about overcrowding in this type of accommodation, he said “Dozens were rescued, but unfortunately there were many deaths as a result of inhaling smoke from the fire.”In addition to the Indian nationals, it is believed that Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Filipinos, and Nepalis were also among the deceased.However, some bodies were so severely burned that they were unrecognisable, and DNA tests would be necessary to identify them, rescue worker Shamsudheen Kanneth said.Foreign workers constitute two-thirds of Kuwait’s population, and the nation heavily relies on migrant labor, particularly in the construction and domestic sectors.Human rights organisations have consistently expressed concerns about the living conditions of these workers.
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