40+more Killed In Kuwait Wedding Tent Fire
A fire at a wedding in Kuwait has killed at least 41 women and children, the Kuwaiti fire service has said.
Dozens more were hurt in the blaze, which broke out in a marquee used by women and children.
"The number of dead has reached 41," the head of Kuwait's fire brigade Jassim al-Mansouri told al-Rai television.
Health Minister Hilal al-Sayer reported 76 people injured, many seriously.
Officials fear the death toll may rise because of the mayhem to escape after the fire broke out.
"The number of fatalities might increase due to the large number of injuries as result of a stampede that followed the outbreak of the fire," Mr Mansouri said.
The authorities also had difficulty evacuating the injured because of relatives and onlookers flooding to the scene.
Kuwait Army ambulances helped take the injured to the country's hospitals, with many of the injured admitted to intensive care units.
An inquiry has begun to find out what caused of the disaster.
Weddings in Kuwait are mostly segregated with women sitting apart from men, often in huge marquees put up especially for the celebration.
[closed by mod - further developments here: http://www.qatarliving.com/node/659388]
the source I read said "first wife" I assumed the groom was taking a 2nd wife. Anyone know for sure?
I heard it through QL when it was posted yesterday.
i feel so sad about it..
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"(A man is great by deeds, not by birth.)"
The Gene pool is being cycle once more...
Graduated from Xavier Institute for Higher learning.
I just wonder what kind of safety measures they were having which resulted in this disaster. VERY SAD INDEED
it is really a sad news.
This news is truly appalling - sad beyond words. Some of the reporting in the news coverage doesnt bear thinking about. I earnestly hope that with the advent of the ramadan celebration and the presumed use of marquees and tents all over the muslim world that the individuals who have a responsibility for the safety of others do whatever needs to be done - actually, MORE than needs to be done, to ensure the safety of ALL patrons.
That is shockingly sad. God bless their souls.
http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=OTg1Njc2MDQx