Forty Indians among 49 dead in Kuwait block fire

YEREVAN, JUNE 13, ARMENPRESS. At least 40 Indians are among 49 people killed in a fire at a residential building in the Kuwaiti city of Mangaf, India's foreign ministry has said.

According to the statement, 50 people were injured and have been admitted to 5 government hospitals. 

“On the directions of India’s Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Minister of State Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh is immediately travelling to Kuwait to work towards early repatriation of mortal remains as well as for medical assistance to those injured,” the Ministry added.

According to BBC, the fire broke out on Wednesday in a building where dozens of workers stayed. Local media reports say the building housed 196 workers and there are suggestions that it may have been overcrowded.

As well as the Indian nationals, there were thought to be also Pakistanis, Bangladeshis, Filipinos and Nepalis among the dead.

Two-thirds of the Kuwaiti population is made up of foreign workers and the country is highly dependent on migrant labour, especially in the construction and domestic sectors, BBC adds.

Human rights groups have regularly raised concern over their living conditions.