One Indian among five killed in Dubai fire

New Delhi, Jan 19 (UNI) At least one Indian worker was among five foreign nationals who were killed in the fire accident in Fortune Towers -- a multi-storey building under construction-- in Dubai, the trading hub of the United Arab Emirates, yesterday afternoon.

The Indian victim is identified as one Hamza, from Kerala, the Overseas Indian Affairs (OIA) Ministry told UNI here today.

Out of the 41 injured who are undergoing treatment in Rashid Hospital, 19 were Indian workers.

Four of the Indian workers were "critically" injured.

An OIA Spokesman said the ministry had been in touch with India's Consul General (Acting) B S Mubarak.

Mr Mubarak and the Consul (Labour) had visited the hospital yesterday, but could not confirm how many of the victims were Indians.

They held talks with Dr Moeen Fukri, Director of Accidents and Trauma Care, who confirmed the number of the injured Indians.

''We could confirm the death of only one Indian worker so far,'' the spokesman said.

It is likely that a majority of the five killed would be Indians.

Most construction workers in the UAE are Asians, mainly from the Indian subcontinent.

The Ministry said Mr Mubarak was in touch with Mr Ranga Chari, the spokesman of the Fortune Corporation.

While four workers were killed on the spot, one died on way to Rashid hospital.

Reports said 280 Asian workers were trapped in the building before rescue teams evacuated a majority of them after fire broke out in the 37-storey development.

They said fire started in the electricity and sewage pipes in the upper floors starting from the 31st.

UNI