16 Indians killed; 7 injured in Bahrain fire
PTI - Pic courtesy Zee news
Manama, Jul 30: At least 16 Indians, all from Tamil Nadu, died of suffocation and seven others injured when a fire broke out in a three-storey building housing over 200 expatriates in this capital city of Bahrain early today.
The fire, apparently caused by a short circuit, broke out at around 2.30 am (5 am IST) in the second floor of the building used as a residence for workers in the Gudabiya area here, officials said.
"Nearly 16 suffocated to death due to heavy smoke, seven injured and 196 have been rescued," the Interior Ministry said.
Indian Ambassador to Manama Balakrishna Shetty, who along with Baharain Prime Minister Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa visited the site of the accident, said the seven injured suffered from carbon monoxide poisoning and were on oxygen support in hospital.
One of the injured also suffered a fracture in his hand as he tried to jump from a window after breaking its glass to escape the fire, he told PTI.
However, all the injured were out of danger, Shetty, who visited them in hospital, said.
The Ambassador said all the victims -- both dead and injured -- were from Tamil Nadu and worked for Royal Towers Construction company.
He said the people on the ground and first floors of the building escaped the fire and shifted to a neighbouring gym.
The company was warned in January over the poor safety of the workers but had not taken any safety measures and was flouting the labour laws, he said.
The living condition of the workers in the building was pathetic with virtually no ventilation in their rooms, the Ambassador said.
He said the workers were living in overcrowded rooms with unhealthy conditions in the building, which housed only Indians.
About the last rites of the dead, Shetty said "once we get the list of the victims, we will contact their families and ask where they want the last rites to be performed."
Police said the incident took place when there were 218 people in the building. However, the workers claimed that there were over 350 Indians.
The Bahrain Prime Minister, who visited the accident site along with senior Ministers including for Labour, expressed his deep condolences to the Indian Government over the death of Indian nationals.
He also told senior Ministers to ensure that the steps are taken to prevent such accidents in future. The authorities were also considering some compensation for those killed.
After the fire broke out, civil defence cars, police and ambulances rushed to the scene for evacuation and rescue operations.