…The founder of the multi-billion-dollar NBTC Group, K G Abraham, offered a public apology on Saturday after 49 workers, including 42 Indians, died in a fire in its six-storey building in Kuwait, but stressed that there was no overcrowding in the apartments or irregularities in the building permits.

"We are sorry. We are so sorry. I was crying at home hearing about the tragic accident. These are our people. They are like our families. Some of their families have worked with us for 25–27 years," Abraham told a news conference here.

"We have not done any wrong. We believe things did not happen because of our mistake. But, still, we will take the responsibility. We cannot say this is not our responsibility. They were working with us. They built our company. They are our family."…

He said the NBTC Group, which is into construction, manufacturing, oil & natural gas, and retail, will offer Rs 8 lakh to each of the families of the deceased. Further, there is insurance coverage for all of its employees. This will ensure that the families receive four years' salaries from the deceased.

"We will also provide jobs to the dependents of the families in our group as per their educational qualifications," he said…