Crisis in Kuwait as Many Lose Their Lives in Residential Fire

At least 41 people, mostly migrant workers, were killed in a devastating residential fire in Kuwait. Authorities blamed the high death toll on overcrowding and building violations by "greedy" property owners.

Fire kills at least 41 people, injures 15 in Kuwait Mangaf residential building early Wednesday morning. The deadly fire started at about 3:00 am local time and quickly consumed the lower floors and filled the structure with thick smoke.

Videos that went viral depict the building engulfed in flames with black clouds of smoke emanating from it. The rescue operations went on throughout the morning as the authorities tried to evacuate the people and fight the fire.

Most of the victims are estimated to be migrant workers from other countries who resided in the tower. The nationalities of the deceased have not been confirmed but the information received suggests that some of the victims are from India and other South Asian countries.

Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf al-Sabah accused the property owners of being greedy for violating building regulations and codes which he said directly contributed to high deaths rates. Local police also speculated that the building was perhaps overcrowded to dangerous levels.

Human rights organizations have also condemned the standard of living of many of Kuwait’s foreign workers who constitute about two-thirds of the country’s population. The organizations will probably demand better conditions for workers and housing after this tragedy.

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While efforts to determine the cause go on, Kuwait is in mourning over one of the worst fires in its history. The identities of the victims are still being confirmed to notify families. Government officials have pledged to address issues of noncompliance with the building codes to avoid future incidents.