KUWAIT CITY, July 20: In a tragic incident on Friday, a Keralite family lost their lives in a fire that broke out in their flat in Abbasiya. The victims have been identified as Mathews Mulackal, his wife Lini Abraham, and their two children, all hailing from Neerattupuram in Alappuzha, Kerala.

The family had returned to Kuwait from a vacation in Kerala, arriving around 4 PM on Friday. According to reports, the fire erupted in their second-floor flat at approximately 8 PM, caused by a short circuit originating from the air conditioner. The family tragically suffocated to death due to the fire.

Mathews Mulackal worked at Reuters, while his wife Lini was a staff nurse at Adan Hospital in Al Ahmadi Governorate. Their children attended Bhavans School in Kuwait.

This incident follows another devastating fire last month, which claimed the lives of 45 Indians in a labor accommodation in Kuwait's Mangaf.

Meanwhile, the General Fire Force announced on their “X” platform account that their teams had successfully controlled the blaze in an apartment building. The post confirmed the unfortunate death toll and mentioned that the site has been handed over to the relevant authorities for further investigation.

Major General Khaled Fahd, the acting head of the General Fire Force, was present at the fire scene.

On Thursday, the Kuwaiti Fire Force (KFF) had issued a safety warning, urging citizens and residents to adhere to fire prevention guidelines, especially as temperatures soared above 50 degrees Celsius. During a briefing, KFF Director Brigadier Mohammad Al-Ghareeb emphasized the importance of possessing and knowing how to use fire prevention equipment, such as fire blankets, smoke and gas detectors, and fire extinguishers. He highlighted that electrical faults from overloaded circuits are a major cause of fires and advised shutting off unnecessary devices.

Al-Ghareeb also cautioned about the hazards of gas stoves and underscored the importance of regular vehicle and elevator maintenance to prevent such tragedies.