At least 49 killed in Kuwait building fire

A fire that broke out in an apartment building in Kuwait has killed at least 45 people and injured dozens others.

The blaze erupted in a building housing workers in the city of Mangaf in southern Ahmadi Governorate.

The fire was reported to authorities at 6:00 am local time (0300 GMT), Major General Eid Rashed Hamad said.

"The building in which the fire occurred was used to house workers, and there was a large number of workers there. Dozens were rescued, but unfortunately there were many deaths as a result of inhaling smoke from the fire," another senior police commander told Kuwait state TV.

"We always alert and warn against cramming too many workers into housing accommodation," he said, without providing details on the workers' type of employment or place of origin.

The fire was contained and authorities were investigating its cause.

Kuwait MoI vows resolute response to building violationshttps://t.co/QrmbB84xWo#KUNA #KUWAIT pic.twitter.com/bWrfS6f5A0

— Kuwait News Agency - English Feed (@kuna_en) June 12, 2024