Mangaf Fire Tragedy: Kuwait To Compensate Families Of Victims With $15,000 Each, Reports Say

The Kuwaiti government will provide $15,000 in compensation to each family of the victims of a fire that killed 50 people, 46 of whom were Indian nationals, in the southern Ahmadi Governorate last week. The fire occurred on June 12 at a seven-storey building in Mangaf, caused by an electrical short circuit in the guard's room on the ground floor, according to Kuwaiti officials.

The building housed 196 migrant workers, predominantly of Indian origin.

On the orders of the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the victims' families will receive compensation, as reported by the Arab Times newspaper on Tuesday. The payments will be sent to the embassies of the victims, which will ensure the funds are distributed to the affected families efficiently.

The Central government of India has also declared an ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased Indian citizens from the PM Relief Fund.

Kuwait’s public prosecutor has initiated an investigation into the incident to uncover the circumstances and causes of the fire. A Kuwaiti citizen and several foreigners have been arrested on charges of manslaughter and causing injuries due to negligence in security and safety measures.

(With inputs from PTI.)