UPDATE - Fire kills 49 in buildings housing workers in Kuwait

UPDATES DEATH TOLL, ADDS CHANGES

By Dilara Afifi

KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait (AA) - At least 49 people were killed and dozens injured on Wednesday after a fire broke out in two residential buildings in the city of Mangaf in southern Kuwait, the Interior Ministry said.

Major General Eid Rashid Al-Owaidan, director of forensic evidence at the ministry, said local authorities received a report of the fire at 6 a.m. local time (0300 GMT).

He said most of the fatalities were caused by smoke inhalation, while 11 people were rescued.

The cause of the fire remains unclear.

An investigation has been launched into the incident.

According to local media, the two buildings were used to house foreign workers.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio in Istanbul