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Ex-wife blamed for Kuwait inferno | Ex-wife blamed for Kuwait inferno |
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Kuwaiti police investigating a deadly blaze at a wedding tent that killed 43 women and children say the ex-wife of the groom has confessed to starting it. | Kuwaiti police investigating a deadly blaze at a wedding tent that killed 43 women and children say the ex-wife of the groom has confessed to starting it. |
The tent was consumed by flames in seconds in the worst civilian disaster in Kuwait's modern history. | The tent was consumed by flames in seconds in the worst civilian disaster in Kuwait's modern history. |
Fire service officials said the tent had only one exit and did not meet fire safety regulations. | Fire service officials said the tent had only one exit and did not meet fire safety regulations. |
Media reports say the woman told police she had wanted to avenge ill-treatment by her husband before their divorce. | Media reports say the woman told police she had wanted to avenge ill-treatment by her husband before their divorce. |
The al-Qabas newspaper said the 23-year-old had told police she used petrol to torch the packed and highly inflammable wedding tent on Saturday. | The al-Qabas newspaper said the 23-year-old had told police she used petrol to torch the packed and highly inflammable wedding tent on Saturday. |
The victims were all women and children because traditionally wedding celebrations are segregated along gender lines. | |
In pictures: Kuwait wedding fire | In pictures: Kuwait wedding fire |
The Kuwait Times newspaper reported that the groom's new bride had escaped injury but that her mother and a sister had died. | |
Some local newspapers have criticised the government over the blaze, which happened in the town of Jahra, saying its handling revealed failures in disaster response planning. | Some local newspapers have criticised the government over the blaze, which happened in the town of Jahra, saying its handling revealed failures in disaster response planning. |
MPs criticised the fact that a law banning such tents in residential areas because of the safety risks is not properly enforced. | |
Most of the bodies were burned beyond immediate recognition, police said, and forensic officials were now working to identify the victims. | Most of the bodies were burned beyond immediate recognition, police said, and forensic officials were now working to identify the victims. |
Ninety guests were injured in the blaze and ensuing stampede, and five burns victims are in a critical condition, medical officials say. |