Doha, Qatar: The remains of three overseas Filipino workers who died in a fire in al-Mangaf, Kuwait, on June 12, were returned to the Philippines last week. Relatives, accompanied by Philippine officials, received the remains at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila.

“This is a tragic incident for the families of the victims. Their immediate family will receive all the benefits due them as soon as possible,” the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration said in a news release.

The fire occurred in a building that served as accommodation for workers of a construction company. A total of 11 Filipinos were affected, with two still in critical condition and being monitored by the Philippine Migrant Workers Office in Kuwait.

In total, 49 people, mostly Indians, lost their lives in the fire.

Kuwait has large numbers of foreign workers, many of them from South and Southeast Asia, and mostly working in construction or service industries.

According to reports, the victims suffocated from rising smoke after the fire broke out at the base of the building.

In Qatar, a fire at Umm Bab Tower in West Bay was successfully contained this afternoon, July 21, according to the General Directorate of Civil Defence at the Ministry of Interior (MoI).

The Ministry has stressed the importance of having a proper and valid fire extinguisher readily available in every household and building. This essential tool can be instrumental in containing small fires before they escalate into larger emergencies.

To protect homes from fires, people should follow safety guidelines and precautionary measures, including ensuring that all electricity points and extensions are safe to prevent short-circuits and sparks, according to MoI.