# 2024 Kuwait Mangaf Building Fire

On 12 June 2024, at least 50 people were killed in a fire at a residential building in Mangaf, Kuwait. The majority of the victims, who were asleep at the time, died due to smoke inhalation, while others suffered fatal injuries from falling. The aftermath of the incident saw the arrest of the building's owner, janitor, and company owner.

## Background

Kuwait is highly dependent on migrant labor, but their poor living conditions have been noted by human rights groups. From 2022 to 2024, over 1,400 Indian workers died in Kuwait, and the Indian embassy in Kuwait City received 16,423 complaints from March 2021 to December 2023 due to payment delays, harassment, and substandard accommodation. A large number of migrants returned to India due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

## Incident

The fire was reported at 06:00 AST (03:00 GMT) on the ground floor of a six-story residential building. The building housed 196 workers. A "large number" of people were in the building at the time of the fire.
The fire began in the security room before spreading to the kitchen, where over 20 LPG cylinders and other flammable materials were present, allowing the fire to spread rapidly. Flames engulfed the lower part of the building and thick black smoke billowed from the upper floors. Most of the deaths were a result of smoke inhalation while sleeping, while several victims suffered from fall injuries. Security agencies rescued 67 people. Five firefighters were injured during rescue efforts.

## Victims

Fifty people were killed. At least another 50 were injured and taken to hospital. Indian embassy officials visited the injured in hospital. As of 12 June, 30 bodies were identified, while other bodies were burned beyond recognition and required genetic testing.
At least 45 of the dead were from India, including at least 24 from Kerala. Five fatalities came from Tamil Nadu while other victims came from North India, with their ages ranging between 20 and 50. Hospitals in the area admitted 56 patients from the fire. Over 30 Indian nationals were treated at Al Adan hospital, which was later visited by Indian ambassador to Kuwait Adarsh Swaika. Three Filipino workers also died while three others were also injured, two of them critically. Other casualties included Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Nepali nationals.

## Cause

Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Al-Sabah said violations of building standards led to the disaster. A senior police officer told state TV that warnings were often issued about overcrowding in this type of accommodation.

## Aftermath

Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Al-Sabah ordered the arrest of the building's owner, janitor, and company owner during a visit. The building's owner was later detained for negligence.

### Reactions

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the disaster saddening and expressed condolences to the victims and their loved ones. He announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh to each of the families of the deceased Indian nationals from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund. Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar also offered condolences, and Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said that he would provide assistance and repatriate the dead using aircraft of the Indian Air Force.
Saudi Arabia's King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman shared their condolences for Kuwait, with the king wishing a speedy recovery for the injured. The foreign ministries of the United Arab Emirates and Iran also expressed solidarity with Kuwait.