Building Fire
In the early hours of Wednesday morning, tragedy struck the city of Mangaf in southern Kuwait as a devastating fire engulfed a building housing workers, claiming the lives of at least 41 individuals, according to statements made by the country’s deputy prime minister, Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah, during his visit to the site.
Amidst the sorrow and devastation, Sheikh Fahad pointed fingers at real estate owners, accusing them of violations and greed, which, he claimed, played significant roles in contributing to the incident.
“Unfortunately, the greed of real estate owners is what leads to these matters,” lamented Sheikh Fahad, who also holds responsibilities in the interior and defense ministries.
The fire, which was first reported to authorities at 6:00 a.m. local time (0300 GMT), swiftly escalated into a catastrophic event.
Major General Eid Rashed Hamad revealed that the building, primarily utilized to accommodate workers, housed a substantial number of individuals at the time of the incident.
While many were fortunate enough to be rescued, the toll of the tragedy was exacerbated by the inhalation of smoke, resulting in numerous fatalities, as disclosed by another senior police commander on state TV.
Authorities, who swiftly responded to the emergency, managed to contain the fire, but the loss of life and the anguish left in its wake reverberated throughout the community.
While details regarding the workers’ employment status and origins were not immediately provided, concerns were raised about the conditions of their housing arrangements.
In the aftermath of the blaze, investigations into its cause were initiated by authorities, seeking to shed light on the circumstances that led to this heartbreaking event.
