About 41 people were killed and around 30 Indians injured early on Wednesday as a major fire broke out in a building in Kuwait housing workers. Arrests were ordered of those responsible, state reports from the Gulf nation.
The Indian Embassy in Kuwait has said over 30 Indian workers have been injured in the fire incident.
The dead and injured are believed to be workers of one company, officials have said, even as Kuwait's Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah has ordered police to apprehend the owner of Mangaf building where the blaze occurred.
The toll is expected to go up.
The fire started in a kitchen in the six-storey building in Mangaf area in Kuwait's southern Ahmadi Governorate, officials added.
The building reportedly had nearly 160 people living in it.
"In connection with the tragic fire-accident involving Indian workers today, Embassy has put in place an emergency helpline number: +965-65505246. All concerned are requested to connect over this helpline for updates. Embassy remains committed to render all possible assistance," the Indian Embassy in Kuwait said in a post on X.
Indians constitute 21 per cent (1 million) of the total population of Kuwait and 30 per cent of its workforce (approximately 9 lakh).
"Deeply shocked by the news of the fire incident in Kuwait City. There are reportedly over 40 deaths and over 50 have been hospitalised. Our Ambassador has gone to the camp. We are awaiting further information," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in a post on X.
"Deepest condolences to the families of those who tragically lost their lives. Wish early and full recovery to those who have been injured. Our Embassy will render the fullest assistance to all concerned in this regard," he added.
Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah also ordered the arrest of the building's janitor, as well as the owner of the company responsible for the workers pending the end of the criminal evidence personnel's examination of the scene, the Kuwait Times reported.
"What happened today is a result of the greed of the company and building owners," the minister said in a statement as he visited the fire scene.
He said that he gave orders to Kuwait Municipality and the Public Authority for Manpower to launch immediate action to address similar violations where large numbers of workers are crammed into one residential building, and make sure that all safety requirements are in place in order to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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