Kuwait Building Fire: 45 Indians Killed at Mangaf Building

A devastating fire broke out in a building housing migrant workers in Kuwait’s Mangaf area, resulting in the death of 49 people, including 45 Indians. The victims, ranging from engineers to drivers and supervisors, hailed from various states in India. The Indian Air Force is set to bring back the bodies for their last rites.

Indian victims in Kuwait fire

Among the Indians killed in the Kuwait building fire, 23 were from Kerala, seven from Tamil Nadu, two each from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, and one each from Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh.

Background of NBTC Kuwait fire incident

Most of the victims worked for NBTC, Kuwait’s largest construction firm, which also owned the building that caught fire. Some victims had recently moved to Kuwait for work, while others had lived there for decades. This tragic NBTC Kuwait fire incident underscores the need for improved fire safety protocols to prevent such loss of life in the future.

Detailed List of Deceased at  NBTC building fire

From Kerala:

• Akash S Nair: A 32-year-old from Panthalam, Pathanamthitta district. Worked in Kuwait for eight years, last visited India a year ago.
• Chennasseril Saju Varghese: A 65-year-old from Konni, Pathanamthitta district. Worked in Kuwait for 22 years, survived by his wife Bindu and two children.
• Akash: A 23-year-old from Pathanamthitta, details awaited.
• Sreehari Pradeep: A mechanical engineer from Changanassery. His father also works in Kuwait, while his mother resides in Kerala.
• Lucose: A 48-year-old supervisor at NBTC from Kollam, worked in Kuwait for 18 years, survived by his wife Shiny and two children.
• Sajan George: A 29-year-old junior mechanical engineer from Punalur, Kollam, recently started working in Kuwait.
• Kelu Ponmaleri: A production engineer from Thrikaripur, Kasargod, survived by his wife KN Mani and two sons.
• Ranjith: A 34-year-old from Kasargod, worked in Kuwait for 10 years.
• Shemeer: A driver from Kollam, worked in Kuwait for five years.
• Stephin Abraham Sabu: An engineer from Kottayam Pampadi, had a brother also in Kuwait.
• Vishwas Krishna: A 34-year-old from Kannur, joined a private company in Kuwait nine months ago, survived by his wife Pooja Ramesh and son Daivik.
• Binoy Thomas: A Thrissur native, arrived in Kuwait five days before the incident, survived by his wife Jinitha and two children.
• Shibu Varghese: An accountant from Pathanamthitta, worked in Kuwait for 11 years, survived by his wife Rosie Thomas and son.
• Thomas C Ommen: From Pathanamthitta, lived in Kuwait for six years, survived by his wife and children.
• Bahuleyan: A 36-year-old from Malappuram, worked at Kuwait Highway Hyper Market.

From Tamil Nadu:

• Veerachamy Mariappan: From Tuticorin, lived in Kuwait for over 20 years.
• Raju Ebamesan: A 54-year-old driver from Trichy.
• Karupannan Ramu: From Ramanathapuram, worked in Kuwait for 26 years, was to return home in four days.
• Bhunaf Richard: A 28-year-old quality manager from Thanjavur.
• Krishnamurthy Chinnadurai: A Cuddalore native, last spoke to family on the night of the tragedy.
• Govindan Shivashankar: A 48-year-old driver from Chennai.

From Andhra Pradesh:

• Tamada Lokanadham: A 37-year-old rolling operator helper from Parvathagiri, Warangal district, died from asphyxiation.
• Meesala Eswar: A 34-year-old delivery boy from Kothapalem, Bapatla district, succumbed to injuries in the hospital.
• Molleti Satyanarayana: A 36-year-old delivery boy from Narasannapeta, Srikakulam district.

Other States:

• Himmat Rai: A 63-year-old from Punjab’s Hoshiarpur, survived by his wife and children.
• Dwarikesh Patnaik: A 52-year-old from West Midnapore, Bengal.
• Anil Giri: From Haryana, moved to Kuwait five years ago.
• Kale Khan: A young man from Bihar’s Darbhanga, remains missing.

Authorities’ Response

Kuwaiti authorities have identified 48 bodies, including 45 Indians and three Filipinos. Efforts continue to identify the remaining body. The Indian government, with the help of the Indian Air Force, is working to bring back the bodies for proper rites.

Preventive Measures to Avoid Future Tragedies

The tragic fire in Kuwait shows how important it is to have strong fire safety measures to protect lives and property. Using these safety steps can help reduce the risk of such disasters:

Conduct Regular Fire Risk Assessments:

Regular fire risk assessments and audits should be conducted to identify potential hazards and implement corrective actions promptly.

Proper Storage and Handling of Combustible Materials:

Adhering to fire code regulations for the storage, handling, and disposal of flammable materials can prevent fires from starting or spreading.

Install Comprehensive Fire Protection Systems:

Installing fire alarms, smoke detectors, and sprinkler systems can provide early warnings and help control fires before they become unmanageable.

Effective Compartmentalization:

Using fire-rated doors, walls, and partitions can contain fires within specific areas, preventing them from spreading throughout the building.

Maintain Clear Evacuation Routes:

Ensuring that evacuation routes and emergency exits are clearly marked and unobstructed can facilitate quick and safe evacuation during emergencies.

Provide Adequate Fire Extinguishers:

Placing fire extinguishers in accessible locations and training personnel in their proper usage can enable immediate response to small fires.

Develop and Implement a Fire Safety Plan:

Creating a comprehensive fire safety plan, including regular drills and staff training, ensures that everyone knows how to respond during a fire emergency.

IGNICOP®: Revolutionizing Fire Safety Monitoring

In light of the tragic Kuwait building fire that resulted in the loss of 45 Indian lives, it’s crucial to emphasize innovative solutions that could prevent similar incidents in the future. One such solution is IGNICOP®, an Early Warning Apparatus and Communication System (EWACS) developed by Basic Elements. IGNICOP® addresses the critical need for proactive fire safety monitoring, offering real-time health checks of fire safety systems, thereby reducing risk and ensuring immediate response during emergencies.

How IGNICOP® Works:

• Continuous Monitoring: IGNICOP® ensures ongoing health monitoring of installed fire safety systems, effectively minimizing risk at all times.
• System Status Tracking: The device closely monitors fire alarms and pressure levels, providing a comprehensive health assessment.
• Instant Alerts: Any deviation in fire alarm or pressure levels triggers immediate notifications to four stakeholders/first responders via SMS within 5 seconds, followed by phone calls in 10 seconds.
• Dashboard Accessibility: Users can monitor multiple sites through a user-friendly Admin Dashboard, making IGNICOP® an effective incident index for various industries, commercial spaces, and residential buildings.
• Central Communication Hub: IGNICOP® serves as the central hub of a robust and scalable fire and life-safety communications system, incorporating advanced technology that is both intelligent and configurable.

Benefits of IGNICOP®:

• Saves Lives and Property: Acts as a guardian, protecting lives and valuable assets during fire incidents.
• Reduces Risk Velocity: Swift response minimizes damage.
• Enhances Resilience: Businesses gain resilience in responding to critical fire accidents.
• Mitigates Legal Liabilities: Compliance with industry standards reduces legal risks and liabilities.
• Ensures Business Continuity: Minimal downtime ensures seamless business operations.
• Promotes Operational Excellence: Contributes to operational efficiency and excellence.
• Eco-Friendly: Helps reduce the carbon footprint, aligning with environmental responsibilities.

In the case of the Kuwait building fire, the presence of IGNICOP® could have made a significant difference. With its continuous monitoring and instant alerts, IGNICOP® would have detected any issues with the fire safety systems promptly. This early detection could have led to a swift response to address the problem before it worsened. Such proactive measures might have contained the fire, preventing it from spreading rapidly and thereby saving lives and minimizing property damage. Adopting advanced fire safety solutions like IGNICOP® is essential to safeguarding workers and preventing similar tragedies in the future.

Basic Elements: Committed to Fire Safety

At Basic Elements, we firmly believe that fire safety should never be compromised. Our team of experts specializes in conducting comprehensive fire safety audits, identifying potential risks, and recommending tailored solutions to mitigate those risks effectively. With innovations like IGNICOP®, Basic Elements is dedicated to creating a fire-safe world, ensuring that all establishments are fully prepared to prevent and respond to fire emergencies.

Conclusion

This tragic incident underscores the importance of ensuring safe living and working conditions for migrant workers. The loss of these lives is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by those working abroad and the need for robust safety measures. By prioritizing fire safety, establishments can safeguard lives, protect property, and ensure business continuity. The initial investment in fire safety measures is far outweighed by the benefits of preventing such catastrophic events.

Solutions like IGNICOP® could have played a crucial role in preventing the fire in Kuwait. By offering real-time monitoring and instant alerts, IGNICOP® ensures that fire safety systems are always in optimal condition and any anomalies are addressed immediately, thereby preventing minor issues from escalating into major disasters.

Take proactive steps to protect your people, property, and business from the devastating consequences of fires. Prioritize fire safety today and safeguard your future. Contact Basic Elements to schedule a fire safety assessment and ensure your establishment is fully prepared to prevent and respond to fire emergencies.