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KUWAIT: Firemen battled a major blaze at a carpentry shop in Shuwaikh at dawn yesterday. Two firefighters were injured and had to be taken to hospital by paramedics. Industrial Shuwaikh, Shuhada, Subhan and backup centers responded and contained the fire to keep it from spreading to surrounding areas, then worked on tackling the flames. Kuwait Fire Service Directorate (KFSD) began an investigation to determine the cause of fire in the 500-sq-m facility.

Mock drill

In other news, KFSD held an exercise at Al-Kout mall in Fahaheel about a mock fire there. The scenario saw Fahaheel fire center men respond to the scene, and form rescue teams while others fought the fire. The mall was evacuated with the help of security men. The exercise was led by Fahaheel Center Chief Lt Col Tariq Al-Wuhaib.

Drug arrests

The Interior Ministry's Relations and Security Information said the Drugs Control General Department was able to arrest several suspects over drugs crimes during April, as 93 various cases were registered with 130 suspects involved. It said 7.754 kg ice (methamphetamine) and 4.232 kg of heroin were found, besides 2.157 kg of chemical, 1.780 kg of hashish, 214 gm of marijuana, 2,743 illicit tablets and 24 liquor bottles. The department carried out preemptive steps to prevent the spread of drugs and arrested assistants of drug dealers.

Airport traffic

The Interior Ministry's Relations and Security Information Department said passenger traffic through the airport during April 2017 reached 941,248 passengers. The number of Gulf nationals departing and arriving was 84,239, while departing and arriving citizens numbered 310,366 passengers. The figure for other nationalities was 546,643 passengers. It said 19,440 entry visas were issued at the airport, fingerprint scans exposed 68 deportees, while nine were arrested for forgery. Travel bans were removed for 1,341 persons while 175 wanted persons were arrested. Ten people who were previously deported were allowed back in the country.

By Hanan Al-Saadoun