Labourers die in blaze at 'illegal' Bahrain camp

Two labourers have been killed in the sixth blaze to break out in less than a month at labour camps or accommodation for poor workers in Bahrain.

The victims, from Bangladesh, were reportedly asleep in their accommodation near the Bin Saloom Ma'atam, Manama suq, when the fire broke out at around 5am on Monday.

Sixteen other men, also Bangladeshis, are believed to have been living in the two-storey building, which had three bedrooms, one kitchen, one toilet and bathroom, Gulf Daily News reported on Tuesday.

Bangladesh Embassy First Secretary Mohammed Ibrahim, who visited the scene of the tragedy, told the paper: "Unfortunately the fire broke out at a time when the men were sleeping and the two who died seem to have been rendered unconscious by smoke inhalation and then burnt."

Ibrahim said the embassy was co-operating with investigations.

Labour Ministry occupational and safety acting head Hussain Al Shami said the building was not licensed to be used as a labour camp and was not provided by any company.