- The deputy prime minister blames real estate owners for the fire.
- Many workers died from inhaling smoke from the fire.
- Officials say authorities were investigating the cause of the fire.
At least 41 people died in a massive fire at a building housing workers in southern Kuwait early Wednesday, the country's deputy prime minister said during a visit to the site. Gulf News reported.
Kuwait's Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al Sabah, who also heads the interior and defense ministries, blamed real estate owners for the fire in Kuwait's Mangaf town, accusing them of rape and greed.
He said: “Unfortunately, the greed of real estate owners is what leads to these issues.”
According to Major General Eid Rashed Hamad, the fire was reported to authorities at 6:00 local time (03:00 GMT).
“The building where the fire occurred was used to house workers, and there were a large number of workers there,” said another senior police commander.
“Dozens of people were rescued, but unfortunately there were many deaths as a result of inhaling smoke from the fire.”
The senior police official added that they “always alert and warn against” overcrowding of too many workers in homes.
However, it did not provide details on the type of employment of the workers or their place of origin.
The fire was contained and authorities were investigating its cause, officials said.
