08/02/2025
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08/02/2025
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KUWAIT CITY, Feb 8: Kuwait Municipality has responded to an inquiry from Municipal Council member Khaled Al-Dagher regarding the findings and recommendations of the investigation committee formed under Ministerial Resolution No. 329 of 2024 concerning the Al-Mangaf fire incident.
In its response, the Municipality stated that a field inspection was conducted by the Engineering Audit and Follow-up Department. The inspection revealed that the site in question is a rental residential building comprising a ground floor, a mezzanine, six repeated floors, and a rooftop. The owner had already addressed and removed the violations cited in Report No. 08257. As a result, the Municipality confirmed that the property is now fully compliant with its license and that no further violations exist. Additionally, the legal department has not initiated any investigation into the matter.
On June 12, 2024, a devastating fire broke out in a six-story residential building in Mangaf, Kuwait, resulting in the tragic loss of 50 lives, predominantly among Indian migrant workers. The fire originated in the ground-floor security room, rapidly spreading to the kitchen and engulfing the lower levels of the building. Many victims succumbed to smoke inhalation while asleep, while others suffered fatal injuries from falls. Approximately 50 individuals were injured, with five firefighters among the casualties.
The building housed 196 male migrant workers employed by the NBTC Group. A preliminary investigation indicated that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit in the security guard's room and was exacerbated by the use of flammable materials to partition apartments and rooms. Additionally, victims were unable to escape to the rooftop due to a locked door.
In the aftermath, the building's owner was arrested for negligence, and authorities emphasized the need for stricter enforcement of building standards to prevent such tragedies. The incident drew international attention, with Indian officials offering condolences and arranging for the repatriation of the deceased workers' remains
