Dozens dead in fire in apartment block in Kuwait

At least 35 people were killed in a fire in a residential building in the Kuwaiti city of Mangaf, according to the Interior Ministry.

A video shared on social media showed flames engulfing the lower part of the building and thick black smoke rising from the upper floors.

At least 15 other people were injured and hospitalized, authorities said. Many of the victims are said to be foreign workers who lived there.

A spokesman for the Interior Ministry said the fire was now under control and rescue efforts were continuing.

Major General Eid al-Oweihan told state television that the fire was reported at 06:00 local time (03:00 GMT) on Wednesday.

Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf al-Sabah accused the property owners of violations and “greed” during his visit to the site, Reuters news agency reported.

Local media reports suggested that the building may have been overcrowded.

A senior police official told state television that there were “many” people in the building at the time of the fire.

“Dozens were rescued, but unfortunately there were also many deaths from smoke inhalation,” he said, adding that there had been frequent warnings about overcrowding in this type of accommodation.

No information has yet been provided about the workers’ countries of origin or the nature of their employment.