Four dead, and 30 NRIs among 60 hurt in Dubai skyscraper fire


Dubai, January 22, 2007
Abrar Alvi

Four workers were killed and 50- 60 injured in a huge skyscraper fire in Dubai. It is estimated that 19 NRIs were among the 41 workers admitted at Rashid Hospital. More than 270 workers form Pakistan, India and Chinese were trapped in a 37 story building.

The Fortune Investment Group yesterday announced an ex-gratia relief package for those affected by the fire. The developer said its compensation comes in addition to insurance payments.

The source says, unskilled laborer is making around US$140.00 per month. The company will compensate each families those who:

• died will be paid an amount equal to 12 years’ salary of the worker, total about US$ 20, 000.00
• permanently disabled, the relief package will amount to 10 years’ salary
• suffering from a major injury, the compensation will be one years’ salary
• suffered minor injuries, the relief will amount to three months’ salary.

The fire was believed to have started on the 31st floor possibly in the electricity.