The Kuwaiti government has announced that it will give USD 15,000 (around Rs 12.5 lakh) to each family of the victims of a fire that resulted in the deaths of 50 people, including 46 Indians. This decision was reported by the Arab Times newspaper on Tuesday.
The devastating fire broke out on July 12 in a seven-story building located in the city of Mangaf, in the southern Ahmadi Governorate. Kuwaiti authorities have identified the cause of the fire as an electrical short circuit in the guard’s room on the ground floor of the building.
The building was primarily occupied by migrant workers, housing a total of 196 individuals, most of whom were Indians. The fire claimed the lives of 46 Indians, three Filipinos, and one person whose identity has not yet been confirmed.
Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait, has directed that compensation payments be made to the victims’ families. The payments will be processed and delivered to the victims’ respective embassies. These embassies will then ensure that the funds are distributed to the affected families quickly and efficiently.
“This financial aid aims to support the bereaved families during this difficult time,” stated the Arab Times. The compensation is intended to provide some relief to the families who have lost their loved ones in this tragic incident.
Indian Government’s Response
Additionally, with the compensation from the Kuwaiti government, the Indian government has announced that it will provide Rs 2 lakh to the families of each Indian national who died in the fire. Moreover, the government of Kerala, which is the home state of 24 of the deceased Indians, has declared that it will give Rs 5 lakh to the families of those from Kerala who were affected by the incident.
Kuwait’s public prosecutor has launched an investigation to determine the exact circumstances leading to the fire. The probe will focus on uncovering what triggered the deadly blaze. So far, a Kuwaiti citizen and several foreigners have been arrested on charges of manslaughter and causing injuries due to negligence in adhering to security and safety measures.
The investigation and arrests highlight the seriousness with which Kuwaiti authorities are treating this incident, aiming to ensure accountability and prevent such incidents in the future.
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