My favorite coffee barista had a horrific experience riding his usual bus to work yesterday. Three Arab youths jumped on the bus and pulled out knives to rob the expat passengers. They were literally going up to people and putting a knife to their throat to rob them one by one. There was no security presence and nobody could protect themselves from the gang of attackers. These thugs had blocked the exits and the terrified passengers were trapped.
As if this wasn’t scary enough one of the passengers was brutally stabbed and his throat was cut along with other places on his body while everyone watched in horror. My sweet coffee barista made it to safety but he was obviously traumatized by the event. The witnesses made a full report to the police so hopefully these criminals will see hard jail time and not a glimpse of wasta.
I looked in the English local newspapers this morning and didn’t see anything mentioned yet about this disturbing attack on the very expats that help make our day a little brighter by serving us breakfast, tea and coffee. What’s happening in Kuwait is breaking my heart. It seems the crime rate is spinning out of control largely thanks to drug trafficking and addiction. I used to feel safer in Kuwait but with crime escalating at an enormous rate I am much more cautious. I pray that something is done before it’s too late.
I don't think drugs are the only issues Kuwait faces.
ReplyDeleteThis country was invaded in 1990. People were tortured, murdered, dumped in the streets, hung from light poles. Women were raped by Iraqi forces in police stations and their screams could be heard throughout neighborhoods.
Those who were in Kuwait and witness to these horrors were never treated in any way; no post traumatic stress disorder counselling. Small children who witnessed these events grew up without people ever even discussing it.
It was ONLY 21 years ago.
Are these young thugs either the children/product of rape - or are they the victims of PTSD; either directly or through parents who were traumatized?
In any case, yes, it is horrible what is happening here in Kuwait and it makes all of us who love the country very sad.
I agree, drugs are not the only issue but they tend to make non-violent kids turn violent when they need their next fix. Let's hope there aren't any Zombies walking around Kuwait like the USA. ;)
DeleteIt makes me so, so sad that people who come here looking for a better life, a way to take care of their famiy or build a future, have to face this type of abuse. Some expats are lucky to never have to consider the bus as a plausible transportation arrangement...they're given rental cars or cost of living allowances...but for many expats who work lower paid jobs there isn't any other option.
ReplyDeleteAnd that just breaks my heart, because it seems that anyone who rides a bus in Kuwait is so much more at risk to be the victim of harassment or physical abuse.
There's absolutely no excuse for this type of behavior, and I hope that monsters who commit these kind of crimes are found and punished to the full extent of the law.
It makes me really sad as well. I'm so thankful I don't have to ride the public buses. They are really scary and I just hope they catch these criminals.
DeleteKuwait has not been Safe for years But people are starting to know it because everyone started knowing how to use social media to share info !
ReplyDeleteI have been in Kuwait Since I was a Kid, and there has been alchol smuggling drugs weed and so on and like u know using females for money illegal parties, so far since i was a kid till now I got Mugged stolen stabbed been fought alone with 20 guys and I am alone.
hell If I was a Cop in 1 Day i'll catch all those alchol drug dealers since its so easy... a Child can do it!
As for Bus's my mobile was stolen threaten with a knife, and was sitting next to the window and some body from the street threw a rock at the bus window that i was next to !
overall " People " just started to realise thats its not safe, Because people started to know how to share info online these if not everyone will keep thinking there is no problem in Kuwait.
Every country has its problems but Kuwait always seemed to be a little safer to me minus the driving. That is just not so true anymore.
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