21 Indians killed in Kuwait building fire; explosion of gas cylinders caused further damage

KUWAIT CITY: It is reported that 21 Indians were among those who were killed after a fire broke out in a building in Kuwait. Among them, 11 are Malayalees. The names and details of the 21 deceased Indians have been released. The deceased are Shibu Varghese, Thomas Joseph, Praveen Madhav Singh, Shameer, Lucos Vadakkootte Unnunni, Bhunaf Richard Roy Ananda, Kelu Ponmaleri, Stephen Abraham Sabu, Anil Giri, Muhammad Sherif Sherifa, Saju Varghese, Dwarikesh Patnaik, Muraleedharan PV, Vishwas Krishnan, Arun Babu, Sajan George, Ranjith Kundadukkam, Raymond Magpantai Gahol, Jesus Oliveros Lopes, Akash Sasidharan Nair and Denny Baby Karunakaran. 46 Indians sustained injuries.

The fire broke out at the flat owned by a Malayali in Mangaf city by around 4 am today. Everyone in the building was sleeping when the accident occurred. It is reported that the explosion of gas cylinders increased the extent of danger.

According to reports, more than 160 employees of the NBTC company in Mangaf Block 4 lived in the building. The company is owned by Malayali businessman KG Abraham. The preliminary conclusion is that the fire broke out from the kitchen of the labour camp. Many people were injured. Several people sustained serious injuries as they jumped out of the building after noticing the fire. Kuwaiti Minister Al Yousaf and the Indian Ambassador have reached the spot. Malayalees in the area told the media that all the people in the building were evacuated.