At least 41 people have been killed in a fire at a residential building in the Kuwaiti city of Mangaf, the country's deputy prime minister says.

Thick black smoke billowed from the higher stories while flames consumed the building's lower portion in a video that was circulated on social media.

According to officials, a minimum of fifteen more individuals sustained injuries and were hospitalised. According to reports, a large number of the dead were residents who were employed abroad.

The fire is currently under control, and rescue operations are ongoing, according to a representative for the interior ministry.

Maj-Gen Eid al-Oweihan told state TV that the fire was reported at 06:00 local time (03:00 GMT) on Wednesday.

Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf al-Sabah accused real estate owners of violations and "greed" as he visited the scene, according to Reuters news agency.

Local media reports have suggested that the building may have been overcrowded.

A senior police officer told state TV that there were a "large number" of people in the building at the time of the fire.

"Dozens were rescued, but unfortunately there were many deaths as a result of inhaling smoke from the fire," he said, adding that warnings were often issued about overcrowding in this type of accommodation.

No details have so far been given about the workers' countries of origin or the nature of their employment.