Kuwait labor camp fire kills 50; owner apologizes but denies responsibility

KG Abraham, an Indian migrant worker who rose to become a co-owner of the Kuwaiti construction firm NBTC, is facing scrutiny following a devastating fire at a labor camp. The blaze in Mangaf on June 12 killed 50 people and injured 50 more, with reports detailing overcrowded rooms, flammable partitions, and a locked rooftop escape door.

Abraham, whose company became a major player in Kuwait's reconstruction after the 1990 invasion, had previously been lauded for his philanthropy, including a significant donation to flood relief in his native Kerala, India, and funding the film 'Adujeevitham'. The film, based on the true story of an Indian migrant worker's hardship in Saudi Arabia, resonated in Kerala but angered some in Saudi Arabia.

Despite the tragedy, Abraham issued a public apology stating, "I am sorry. I cried at home," but he did not accept responsibility. This stance has infuriated the victims' families, and neither Abraham nor other NBTC executives have faced legal repercussions. The incident highlights the precarious conditions faced by migrant workers in Kuwait, where they form a quarter of the workforce and often lack recourse against exploitative employers.

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I am sorry. I cried at home.