The blaze that consumed a wedding tent in Kuwait claimed two more lives today, raising the death toll to 46 women and children.
One person, thought to be the groom's ex-wife, has been arrested on suspicion of deliberately starting the fire.
The Saturday night incident in the tribal area of al-Jahra, west of Kuwait City, shocked the small oil-rich nation, and a fire department spokesman said it was the worst disaster he has seen in almost four decades of service.
The inferno ate up the women's tent within just three minutes and left behind bodies so charred they were unrecognisable. It's thought guests crushed one another in a desperate attempt to flee.
The spokesman revealed that two of the victims who were hospitalised with severe burns died yesterday. He did not provide further details.
Fifty-two other people injured in the blaze remained in hospital, the health minister, Hilal al-Sayer, told Kuwait Television.
It was still unclear if the bride had survived.
Kuwaitis celebrate weddings in separate parties for men and women, with children attending the women's event which features singing and dancing and a dinner buffet.
In tribal regions, some hold these parties in tents, a custom rooted in Kuwait's nomadic heritage.
Kuwait's emir, Sheik Sabah Al Ahmed Al Sabah, said that out of sympathy for the victims he will not be receiving the customary well wishers for the advent of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which starts later this week.
PA