41 people killed in fire in Kuwait

At least 41 people were killed in a fire that engulfed a building housing workers in the city of Mangaf in Kuwait’s southern Ahmadi Governorate, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Fahad Youssef Saud Al-Sabah said on Wednesday.

The owner of the impacted building was arrested until investigations are complete, said Al-Sabah.

“We will work to address the issue of labor overcrowding and neglect,” said Al-Sabah in a statement posted on news state agency KUNA.

Following the massive fire, the municipality has also been ordered to demolish violating properties from tomorrow (Thursday) without warning the violators.

Major General Eid Rashed Hamad from Kuwait police, during a media interview with the Kuwaiti Ministry of Information, said at least 15 of the injured were transferred to nearby hospitals for treatment, including four who were killed in the fire. The figures are not yet final.

According to state news agency KUNA, at least 43 people were hospitalized due to the fire.

The authorities said they had contained the fire and were investigating what caused it.

“We went to the site and the firefighting force controlled the fire, then the inspection began by an emergency team formed for such crises,” Major General Eid Al-Owaihan, the Director of (Forensic Evidence) said, according to a KUNA report quoting Kuwait TV.

Source: Arab News