A building fire in the Kuwaiti city of Mangaf has resulted in the deaths of 49 foreign workers, with some bodies still yet to be recovered.

At least 49 foreign workers died when a fire ripped through their accommodation block in the Kuwaiti city of Mangaf. The nationalities of the victims were not immediately disclosed by authorities.

India’s ambassador visited hospitals where workers were being treated for injuries sustained in the fire. According to a social media post by the Indian embassy, one hospital treated more than 30 Indian citizens, and at least 47 workers had received treatment across various facilities.

Several Indians, including individuals from the southern state of Kerala, were reported to have died in the fire. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan confirmed this in a letter to India’s foreign minister, which was shared with the press. A government agency for Keralites living outside the state reported that 41 Indians, including 11 from Kerala, had lost their lives, according to information from the Indian community in Kuwait.

Kuwait’s ruler, Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Sabah, ordered an immediate investigation into the cause of the fire and pledged to hold accountable any officials found responsible. Visiting the site, Kuwait’s Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah blamed property owners for violations contributing to such incidents. He stated, “The greed of real estate owners is what leads to these matters.” However, it was not clear what specific violations he was referring to, or if any had taken place at the building in question.