Kuwait fire: A scorned woman’s wrath

A scorned woman has reportedly confessed to starting the wedding tent fire that killed 43 women and children in Jahra, north of Kuwait City.

The woman, who is said to be the first wife of the bridegroom, was arrested on Sunday following claims from witnesses who allegedly saw her setting the tent on fire with kerosene-soaked rags. While the bride was unhurt, her mother and sister were killed.

General Jasem Al Mansouri, head of the fire department, the fire which occurred on Saturday killed 41 women and children in just three minutes -- the death toll reached 43 on Sunday. The inferno destroyed the women's tent and left bodies so charred they were unrecognisable.

Guests likely crushed one another in a desperate attempt to flee through the only exit, he said, adding that there were between 150 and 180 women and children inside.

“It was a horrific scene with bodies and many shoes stuck to the ground at the only exit, they must have trampled over one another,'' Al Mansouri said adding that it was the worst accident he had seen in 40 years of his service.

Some of the victims received critical burn injuries and were in a serious condition while some of the dead who have been charred beyond recognition, will be identified only after the DNA test, Al Mansouri said.

REVENGE

Interior Ministry spokesman Col. Mohammad Al Saber told the state-owned Kuwait television on Monday that the perpetrator behind the blaze has been identified and has confessed to committing the crime for personal reasons.

According to media reports, the 23-year-old suspect was taking revenge on her former husband for the ill-treatment he meted out to her during their marriage.

CONDOLENCES

The Amiri Diwan said yesterday that HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Sabah will not accept greetings on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan in solidarity with the victims of the Jahra blaze. He also expressed his deepest sympathy with the victims and their families and ordered that every possible help should be given to the families.

The Interior Ministry has asked citizens not to erect tents in residential areas as that will obstruct rescue operations in case of emergencies. The ministry has also set up a hotline for relatives of victims to make inquiries. The ministry also asked the families of victims to identify the bodies of the victims at the forensics department.

Meanwhile, MPs have blamed the government's failure to respond quickly and have demanded an investigation into the tragedy.