Kuwait Fire Tragedy: NBTC's KG Abraham Linked To Indian Workers, Producer Of Migrant Film

KG Abraham's NBTC group, which was established in 1977, currently operates in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

Kerala businessman in Kuwait KG Abraham, who co-produced the film Aadujeevitham depicted the challenges faced by a Malayali worker in Saudi Arabia and earned ₹150 crore worldwide.

The Story of KG Abraham and His Connection to NBTC Group

He was the partner and managing director of the firm in Mangaf where most of the 45 Indians, including 24 from Kerala who died in the massive blaze on Wednesday, worked, as reported by Hindustan Times. KG Abraham, the managing director of the NBTC Group, a company established in 1977 and operating across the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, finds himself linked to a tragic incident where many Indian workers perished.

Abraham, a prominent businessman from Kerala, also co-produced the acclaimed film "Aadujeevitham," which earned ₹150 crore worldwide and highlighted the struggles of a Malayali worker in Saudi Arabia. A devastating fire broke out at a seven-story building in Mangaf, Kuwait, claiming the lives of 49 foreign workers, including 24 from Kerala, and injuring 50 others, on Wednesday. The building, where 196 migrant workers resided, was reportedly owned by the NBTC Group.

Preliminary investigations by Kuwaiti authorities suggest that negligence in safety measures might have caused the blaze, potentially originating from a gas leak on the ground floor.

Who is KG Abraham?

KG Abraham, a 69-year-old businessman hailing from Niranam in Kerala's Pathanamthitta district, is a self-made entrepreneur who succeeded in the Middle East. Born as the third child in a farmer's family, he moved to Kuwait in 1976 at the age of 22 with a civil engineering diploma and a dream, as reported by Hindustan Times.

He started his career with a modest salary of 60 dinars at a construction company called Badha and Musairi. By 1983, he became a partner in NBTC (Naser Mohamed Al-Baddah & Partner Trading and Contracting Company) with an initial investment of 4,000 dinars.

Over the years, Abraham transformed NBTC from focusing on small civil construction projects to expanding into sectors like oil and gas. Today, NBTC is a major employer in the Middle East, with a workforce of 15,000 employees. In addition to NBTC, Abraham leads the KG Group, which produced the film "Aadujeevitham." He also owns the Crowne Plaza in Ernakulam, the KGA Elite Continental Hotel in Thiruvalla, and a supermarket chain in Kuwait called Highway Center, as per media reports.

Abraham is well-known for his charitable endeavours. However, he has been critical of the current LDF government in Kerala, accusing it of mismanaging flood relief funds raised from expatriates in 2018.

NBTC Group's Response to the Tragedy

In a press release, the NBTC Group expressed their condolences and support for the families affected by the fire. The statement read, "We are in touch with the families of those who lost their lives and those who are injured. We will keep you all updated on a regular basis with true and factual information about the incident. Our team is relentlessly working on all the necessary arrangements and assures everyone that we will not spare any effort on our behalf."

The company has pledged ₹8 lakh to the family of each deceased employee and additional compensation once insurance claims are processed. They have also promised to offer employment opportunities to family members of the victims and provide continued support., as reported by Hindustan Times.

Investigation and Arrests

In the aftermath of the fire, Kuwaiti authorities arrested several individuals, including a Kuwaiti citizen and foreigners, on charges related to causing death and injuries due to negligence. The public prosecution is actively investigating the incident to determine the cause and identify responsible parties. There is no official confirmation yet, but local media reports suggest a gas leak might have triggered the fire.

The tragedy has put a spotlight on safety violations and the urgent need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations in residential buildings, particularly those housing migrant workers, as per media reports. The tragic fire in Kuwait highlights the critical need for robust safety measures and the protection of foreign workers. As the investigation continues, it serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers and the responsibilities of companies like NBTC to ensure their safety and well-being.