In a devastating incident in Kuwait, at least 40 Indian nationals lost their lives and dozens were injured when a fire engulfed a six-storey building in the Mangaf area. The victims were low-paid, blue-collar workers predominantly from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and northern Indian states. Most of the casualties were a result of smoke inhalation, as the residents were asleep when the fire broke out early Wednesday.

According to reports, the fire originated in a kitchen on one of the lower floors of the building. Investigations revealed that the tragedy was the outcome of the greed of the building owners and the company responsible for the workers. The building is rented by the NBTC group, which is reportedly owned by Malayali businessman KG Abraham.

Reacting to the incident, Kuwait's deputy prime minister, Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah, who is also the minister of interior, expressed his concern and ordered the arrest of the building owner, the building's janitor, and the owner of the company responsible for the workers. He also directed the Kuwait Municipality and the Public Authority for Manpower to take immediate action against similar violations.

Following the tragedy, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for an urgent meeting with senior officials to review the situation. Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, has been instructed to travel to Kuwait to oversee relief operations and coordinate with local authorities for the early repatriation of the deceased.

The Indian Embassy in Kuwait has established an emergency helpline number (+965-65505246) for updates and assistance. In addition, Indian Ambassador to Kuwait, Adarsh Swaika, visited the site of the incident and the hospitals where the victims were admitted to ensure necessary action and emergency medical care.

Ambassador Swaika visited Al-Adan Hospital, Farwaniya Hospital, Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital, and Jahra Hospital, where over 50 Indian nationals were receiving treatment. Reports from the scene indicated that at least 11 victims were from Kerala.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan appealed to the External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, to instruct the Indian Embassy to coordinate relief and rescue efforts with the Kuwaiti government.

Expressing their condolences, several opposition leaders, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, urged the government to provide all possible assistance to the victims and their families.

This tragic incident has highlighted the concerns surrounding overcrowded accommodations for low-paid, blue-collar workers in the Gulf region. The Kuwaiti government's swift action to address the violations and launch immediate measures to prevent such incidents in the future is crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of foreign workers.

As investigations continue, it is imperative that governments and authorities work together to prevent these tragedies and ensure proper living conditions and safety measures are provided for all workers.