Kuwait disaster: Number of people arrested increases to three

KUWAIT CITY: The number of people arrested in connection with the Kuwait disaster has increased to three. Two people including the owner of the building were arrested on the day of the incident. Kuwait Public Prosecution said that one Kuwaiti citizen and two foreigners are in judicial custody. However, their names have not been specified.

In addition to the owner of the building, the security guard and an official of the company where the workers were employed were also arrested. Them failing in the safety standards is what led to the accident. The prosecution is continuing its investigation.

Meanwhile, Kuwait Fire Force's investigation found that the fire was caused by a short circuit. Allegations are being raised, including in Kuwait, that this is to save the high-ranking accused.

Serious lapse, says investigative report

• The source of the fire was a short circuit on the ground floor
• Most of the deaths were due to smoke inhalation
• Serious lapse in security measures in the building
• About two dozen gas cylinders on the ground floor of a seven-storey building
• Paper, cardboard, plastic and many flammable materials
• These were used to separate space for workers in narrow rooms
• Workers lived in crowded rooms. Residents over the limit
• People could not escape through the terrace doors as they were locked
• As the elevators were not working, those who were on the upper floors ran down
• Those trapped in the stairs had no way to escape
• The internal structure of the building has been changed to provide more space. This obstructed the access of firemen