Latest news with #Al-Gharib
Arab Times
4 days ago
- Arab Times
Deadly Fire Rekindles Warnings Over Kuwait Expat Housing Conditions
KUWAIT CITY, Jun 1: A devastating fire broke out early Sunday morning in a residential building in Reggae area, killing six people and injuring five others, in an incident chillingly reminiscent of the deadly Al-Mangaf blaze in June 2024 that claimed 49 lives. The Kuwait Fire Force (KFF) confirmed that emergency teams were dispatched at 4:22 a.m. following a distress call reporting a fire in the building. Brigadier General Mohammed Al-Gharib, Director of Public Relations and Media at KFF, stated that units from Ardiya Industrial Area, Shuwaikh, and the Technical Rescue Department arrived at the scene within four minutes. The fire had engulfed two apartments on the fifth and sixth floors, which, according to Al-Gharib, had been illegally subdivided to house single male labourers. This overcrowding and unauthorised construction significantly worsened the blaze, he said. 'Firefighters launched evacuation efforts using ladders and stairwells, managing to rescue dozens of expats,' Al-Gharib stated. 'Three charred bodies were recovered at the scene, while seven people were taken to the hospital. Two later succumbed to their injuries.' The victims included individuals of Asian and African nationalities. Al-Gharib warned that violations such as unregulated room partitions, poor fire safety compliance, blocked escape routes, and a lack of fire-fighting equipment are recurring hazards that endanger lives and hamper emergency response. He urged property owners to strictly adhere to safety codes, particularly during the summer when fire incidents typically spike. Farwaniya Governor Sheikh Athbi Nasser Al-Sabah visited Farwaniya Hospital to check on the injured, offering condolences to the victims' families. He instructed authorities to investigate the cause of the fire and ensure full support for those affected. Praising the efforts of emergency responders, he also emphasised the urgent need for stricter enforcement of fire safety standards in residential buildings. The Ministry of Health reported that ten casualties were handled across several hospitals. Six were treated at Farwaniya Hospital, while two were referred to Al-Babtain Burns and Plastic Surgery Center. Four were also admitted to Al-Sabah Hospital. The Ministry activated its emergency response plan in coordination with ambulance services to ensure swift medical intervention. Dr. Abdullah Al-Fars, Assistant Undersecretary for Medical Support Services, conducted an on-site assessment, overseeing the provision of care and ensuring the availability of resources. This latest fire tragedy once again highlights critical safety lapses in worker accommodations and underlines the pressing need for regulatory reforms to prevent a repeat of past disasters.
Arab Times
4 days ago
- General
- Arab Times
Lives Lost In Kuwait Riggae Fire: Six Dead, Nine Injured
KUWAIT CITY, June 1: Riggae woke up at dawn Sunday to a tragic fire that broke out in a building, resulting in the deaths of six people: three at the scene and three in the hospital, while nine others were injured – all of them are Asians and Africans. Firefighting teams worked hard to rescue people trapped in the flames by lowering them from the top of the building through fire ladders and extinguishing the blaze. Emergency medical teams rushed to transport the injured to hospitals, in the presence of Public Security, Rescue, and Traffic personnel. Meanwhile, the Director of Public Relations and Media Department at Kuwait Fire Force (KFF), Brigadier General Mohammad Al-Gharib confirmed that the death toll in the Riggae building fire rose to six, indicating that three died at the scene and three died in the hospital. Al-Gharib told the newspaper that the first firefighting team arrived at the scene within four minutes, affirming that firefighting teams were able to rescue a number of those residing in the building and quickly brought them down through fire ladders. He said the firefighting teams extinguished the flames in record time and launched an investigation to determine the circumstances leading to the fire. In the same context, KFF announced that firefighting teams from Shuwaikh Industrial Area and Ardiya fire stations, as well as the search and rescue centers, controlled the fire that broke out in two apartments in a building in Riggae. KFF revealed that some of the injured were treated at the scene, while others were taken to the hospital. It added that 15 ambulances were quickly dispatched to the fire site, along with intensified preparations to receive the injured at Al-Sabah, Farwaniya, Mubarak Al-Kabeer and Jahra hospitals. The injuries included first- and second-degree burns and suffocation. The videos posted on social media clearly showed the tremendous efforts exerted by the firefighters who rushed to the scene to rescue trapped people. Others rescued those trapped and escaping the flames. Dozens of the building's residents were rescued, as firefighters arrived at the scene quickly and professionally dealt with the incident. Furthermore, Farwaniya Governor Sheikh Athbi Nasser Al-Athbi Al- Sabah visited Farwaniya Hospital on Sunday to check on the condition of those injured in the fire. According to a press release issued by Farwaniya Governorate, Sheikh Athbi Al-Nasser was accompanied by Director of Farwaniya Security Command Brigadier General Mohammed Mutlaq Al-Mutairi, Assistant Director of Farwaniya Security Command Brigadier General Nayef Al-Hajraf, and Director of Farwaniya Hospital Dr. Ali Al-Mutairi. During the visit, Sheikh Athbi Al- Nasser received a detailed explanation from medical staff regarding the condition of the injured and the medical care being provided. He directed the concerned authorities to thoroughly investigate the cause of the fire and ensure all necessary support and services are extended to the injured. The governor also offered his condolences to the families of the victims. He praised the efforts of the security forces and firefighters in containing the blaze. He stressed the importance of adhering to safety and security standards in residential buildings to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Arab Times
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Arab Times
Kuwait Tennis Federation honors Gulf Championship winners
KUWAIT CITY, May 21: The Kuwait Tennis Federation held a ceremony to honor the national tennis team players who excelled in the recent Gulf Tennis Championship for the Under-12, Under-16, and General Categories. The tournament, hosted by Kuwait last month, featured participation from all GCC countries. The ceremony was attended by Federation Chairman Abdulredha Al-Gharib, Vice Chairman Ali Masoud Hayat, and Secretary General Faleh Al-Otaibi. In his address, Al-Gharib expressed gratitude to Kuwait's sports clubs, the Public Authority for Sports, and the Kuwait Olympic Committee for their vital support during the 2024–2025 sports season. He emphasized that their backing was instrumental in achieving success, culminating in Kuwait's first-place finish in the General category and second-place results in both the Under-12 and Under-16 categories at the Gulf Championship. Al-Gharib praised the players for their dedication and consistent training efforts, applauding their impressive performances throughout the season. He also acknowledged the crucial role played by the players' parents, thanking them for their support and encouragement. He affirmed the Federation's commitment to transparency and engagement, stating: 'Our door is always open for feedback and suggestions. We believe in listening and exchanging views with everyone to continue developing the sport.' Under-12 Category: Faisal Ali Al-Mutawa Mohammed Yousef Mohammed Aziz Salem Al-Ali Salem Abdullah Al-Haddad Under-16 Category: Mohammed Ali Qali Mohammed Firas Al-Turkait Ahmed Hussein Al-Ashok Saud Dhari Al-Sabah General Category: Issa Salman Qabazard Bader Al-Abdullah Al-Qahtani Abdul Hamid Mahboob Juma Ali Abdul Redha Al-Shatti
Arab Times
22-04-2025
- Arab Times
Traffic Law reboot off to smooth start
KUWAIT CITY, April 22: Enhanced road discipline and compliance among motorists were noticeable on Tuesday -- the first day of implementing the revised Traffic Law. Motorists are obligated to use seatbelts, abstain from mobile phones usage by hand while driving, respect traffic signals, and refrain from parking in restricted zones. Issued in January, Decree-Law No. 5/2025 amended certain sections of Decree-Law No. 67/1976 on traffic regulations. These amendments were published in the Official Gazette and took effect after a three-month grace period. Director of the Security Media Department at the Ministry of Interior Colonel Othman Al-Gharib affirmed the extensive preparatory efforts of the ministry, including a six-month public awareness campaign to educate citizens and expatriates about the new traffic legislation. He said the objectives of the revised law are to guarantee public safety and prevent traffic accidents that result in fatalities and serious injuries. Al-Gharib informed the newspaper that comprehensive awareness campaigns in multiple languages on various platforms preceded the implementation of the law. He disclosed that these campaigns aimed to inform road users about the updated regulations, associated penalties and the importance of compliance for their safety. He added that his department continues to carry out such awareness campaigns. Director of the Technical Department at the Traffic Affairs and Operations Sector Brigadier General Khaled Al-Adwani urged motorists to pay attention to road signage. He clarified that the posted speed limits are the primary criterion for issuing violation citations, with fines ranging from KD70 to KD150. He warned that exceeding the stipulated speed limit, even by a single kilometer per hour, is considered a violation. In a statement to Al-Akhbar TV, Al- Adwani warned the public about the legal consequences of driving vehicles that make excessive noise, which is punishable by imprisonment. He added that reckless driving is subject to vehicle confiscation through a court order, indicating that parental oversight is vital to prevent minors from committing such infractions. Officer in the Central Control Unit at the General Traffic Department Lieutenant Colonel Ali Al-Qattan affirmed the decline in the number of traffic violations and accidents upon the implementation of the new law. He said the areas that previously experienced high rates of parking violations witnessed a reduction. He also told Al-Akhbar TV that prior to the enactment of the law; the ministry conducted multilingual awareness campaigns, which contributed to increased compliance among motorists.
Arab Times
04-03-2025
- General
- Arab Times
Kuwait Fire Force urges fire safety measures during Ramadan
KUWAIT CITY, March 4: Brigadier Mohammad Al-Gharib, Director of the Public Relations and Media Department at the Kuwait Fire Force (KFF), emphasized the importance of following preventive safety measures to prevent fire hazards during the holy month of Ramadan, particularly due to the increased use of stoves and electrical appliances. In a statement to KUNA on Monday, Brigadier Al-Gharib highlighted the need for heightened awareness and caution regarding fire safety, as kitchens are used more frequently during Ramadan. The intensive use of stoves and electrical appliances makes it crucial to adhere to safety precautions. He stressed the importance of ensuring the integrity of gas connections, turning off gas supplies after use, and avoiding leaving oils and flammable materials unattended on the stove. Additionally, Brigadier Al-Gharib advised against overloading electrical connections and emphasized the necessity of having fire extinguishers and fire blankets easily accessible in the kitchen. He also noted the importance of maintaining clear emergency exits. To further ensure safety, he urged families to prevent children from entering the kitchen to avoid tampering with the gas stove. He also recommended installing smoke detectors to provide early warning in case of a fire and cautioned against leaving coal in closed areas, advising proper ventilation to avoid harmful buildup. Brigadier Al-Gharib appealed to the public to immediately call the emergency number, 112, in case of any emergency and to inform domestic workers of these critical safety measures to avoid accidents. Finally, he urged everyone to follow the safety instructions and guidelines issued by the General Fire Force, wishing all Kuwait residents a safe, blessed Ramadan free of accidents, and praying for the protection of Kuwait and its people from harm.
