Dedicated hotline proposal to report gas cylinder hazards

TDT | Manama

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The Muharraq Municipal Council has called for the establishment of a dedicated hotline for residents to report unsafe gas cylinder storage and other potential hazards, ensuring a faster response than the general emergency number (999).

While the existing “Tawasul” system allows the public to file complaints, officials argue that a specialised emergency contact would enable authorities to take swifter action in high-risk situations.

The tragic loss of eight workers in a fire linked to unsafe housing has renewed concerns over the handling of gas cylinders in shared labour accommodations and commercial areas.

In response, the Muharraq Municipal Council met with Civil Defence representatives to go over existing safety measures, enforcement gaps, and ways to strengthen oversight.

Council Acting Chairman, Engineer Saleh Bu Hazza, said poor coordination between licensing authorities made it difficult to track residential and commercial activities, delaying early warnings about risks. He called for stricter penalties and clearer rules to ensure gas cylinders are stored and used safely.

Shortage of inspectors

He also pointed to a shortage of inspectors, saying authorities needed more boots on the ground to monitor housing and businesses regularly.

Past inspections, carried out by the council with Civil Defence, had not delivered the intended results due to a lack of follow-up, he added.

A rethink of regulatory bodies and an expansion of their powers to issue violations and enforce penalties was needed, he said.

The meeting touched on the role of property owners, with officials warning that some landlords were knowingly renting unsafe housing to workers.

Deaths

In one case, this contributed to the deaths of eight men. Such practices, they said, not only breached safety laws but also raised ethical concerns.