Kuwait City, Kuwait — Kuwaiti authorities announced the detention of three individuals on suspicion of manslaughter following a catastrophic fire that claimed the lives of 50 foreign workers, predominantly Indian nationals. The tragic blaze, which erupted in the early hours of Wednesday, sent thick black smoke billowing through a six-storey building in the Mangaf area, a region densely populated with migrant laborers.
The fire, attributed to an electrical fault in the guard’s room on the ground floor, engulfed the building housing nearly 200 workers. The inferno resulted in severe casualties, with many victims succumbing to smoke inhalation after being trapped by the flames.
Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya confirmed that the majority of the deceased were Indian, while officials in Manila reported that three Filipinos were among the dead. The death toll, initially at 49, rose as one of the injured passed away overnight. Dozens more sustained injuries, some in critical condition.
The public prosecution service indicated that one Kuwaiti and two foreign residents have been detained for allegedly neglecting security procedures and fire regulations, leading to the manslaughter charges. In response to the tragedy, Interior Minister Sheikh Fahd Al-Yousef has vowed to tackle “labor overcrowding and neglect” and warned of strict enforcement of safety regulations.
The fire has left communities both in Kuwait and abroad reeling. In Kerala, India, the village of Shameer Umarudheen, a 33-year-old victim, is in mourning. “He was a lovely man, always friendly to everyone around,” said Safedu, a relative. Similarly, Reji Varghese expressed disbelief over the death of his close friend Lukose VO, who was staying on the sixth floor of the ill-fated building.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his condolences, promising aid to those affected and announcing financial support for the victims’ families. Kirti Vardhan Singh, India’s junior foreign minister, has traveled to Kuwait to assist survivors and coordinate the repatriation of remains. Due to the severe nature of the burns, DNA tests are being conducted to identify some of the victims.
In the Philippines, the Department of Migrant Workers reported the deaths of three Filipinos, with two others critically injured and six escaping unharmed. Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac assured that they are in contact with the affected families.
This incident ranks among the deadliest in Kuwait’s history, drawing parallels to the 2009 wedding tent fire that resulted in 57 deaths. The latest tragedy has spotlighted the living conditions of migrant workers in the Gulf region, where millions from South and Southeast Asia labor in construction and service industries, often under challenging conditions.
As investigations continue, the focus remains on ensuring such a disaster does not reoccur, with promises of stringent safety measures and support for the bereaved families.
