KUWAIT: Ten Asian workers, including nine Pakistanis of the same family, were killed and 12 others injured in a fire at an old building used to house expat laborers in Farwaniya, the Health Ministry said. The ministry, quoted by state news agency KUNA, said among the victims were one Indian and nine Pakistanis.
Kuwaiti news agency KUNA said that at least five of the injured were in critical condition. The cause of the fire was not immediately known. A medical emergency preliminary report said 10 deaths were reported, while 12 were rushed to hospital. Three of the victims died of cardiac arrest.
Health Ministry Assistant Undersecretary for Allied Health Services Dr Jamal Al-Harby said that six people died inside the building, all charred, while three died while on their way to the hospital. In a statement, Acting Director of KFSD Maj Gen Khalid Al-Mekrad said that four fire departments were mobilized immediately to battle the blaze, adding that among the injured were firefighters as well.
Al-Mekrad noted that the prefabricated buildings lack basic security and safety precautions and have some major violations.
According to details, nine Pakistanis killed were from Mian Channu, including 5 children, 3 women and a man.
Muhammad Asif, his wife, two sons Muhammad Umar, Muhammad Hamza, two daughters Javeria and Areej, Asif’s mother Nasreen Bibi, his sister-in-law and nephew were among those who died.
Muhammad Asif’s brother, Muhammad Tariq was severely injured and was in critical condition.