The death toll of Indians in the Kuwait fire surged to at least 42 on Wednesday, as a massive blaze engulfed a building housing foreign workers. This tragedy prompted India to dispatch a high-level team to the Gulf country to coordinate with local authorities for the repatriation of the mortal remains of the deceased.
WHO ARE THE VICTIMS?
Out of the total 49 foreign workers killed, around 42 victims were confirmed to be Indian nationals, most of whom were breadwinners of their families. Among those who were killed in the tragic fire was 29-year-old Stephin Abraham Sabu, an engineer from Kottayam’s Pampadi. He leaves behind his mother Shirley, alongside brothers Febin and Kevin.
From the coastal town of Thrikaripur, Kelu Ponmaleri leaves behind his wife KN Mani. Thirty-four-year-old Ranjith of Kasargod also died in the fire. A resident of northern Kerala, he went to Kuwait a year and a half ago after celebrating the housewarming of his new home. He had planned to return to his village for a vacation in July. However, his village has been shaken by the unofficial news of his death.
Sajan George, 29, from Punalur leaves behind his parents George Pothan and Valsamma, and his sister. Lucose, of Kollam, is survived by his wife Shiny, and children Lydia and Lois. Akash S. Nair, 32, a native of Panthalam in Pathanamthitta district, has been reported dead in a fire accident in Kuwait. He had been working in Kuwait for the past eight years and returned on leave a year ago. He is survived by his mother, Airanikuzhi Shobalaya, Pandalam.
Chennasseril Saju Varghese, a 65-year-old man from Konni in Pathanamthitta district, died in the Kuwait fire accident. He had been employed with the company for 22 years. He is survived by his wife, Bindu, and two children. Akash, a 23-year-old native of Pandalam, is also among the deceased in the Kuwait fire accident. Further details are awaited. Sreehari Pradeep, a mechanical engineer from Changanassery Ithithanam, died in the Kuwait fire accident. His father, Pradeep, also works in Kuwait.
“The entire world is shocked by the fire in Kuwait. For our Kasaragod, this news is very tragic. Many brothers died in the fire. From the information we have, two of our brothers from Kasaragod died,” Kasargod NA Nellikunnu MLA said.
“They went to Kuwait as breadwinners of their family, to take care of their family. All of us, especially the government, should take care of the families. The government should immediately take measures to bring their mortal remains back home. The government should provide maximum help for these families.”
ON THE WAY TO KUWAIT
Before departing for Kuwait from Delhi Airport, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said that the majority of victims suffered severe burns, with some bodies charred beyond recognition. He said DNA testing procedures are currently underway to facilitate victim identification, adding that an Air Force aircraft is on standby for immediate deployment.
The minister said once victim identities are confirmed, families will be promptly notified, and the Air Force will facilitate repatriation. “As soon as the bodies are identified, the kin will be informed and our airforce plane will bring the bodies back… The latest figures that we had last night, the casualty figures are around 48-49 out of this 42 or 43 are believed to be Indians,” MoS Singh told ANI.
JAISHANKAR SPEAKS TO KUWAITI COUNTERPART
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday night spoke to his Kuwaiti counterpart Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya and urged him to ensure early repatriation of the mortal remains of those killed in a devastating fire in southern Kuwait’s Mangaf area.
“Spoke to Kuwaiti FM Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya on the fire tragedy in Kuwait. Apprised of the efforts made by Kuwaiti authorities in that regard. Was assured that the incident would be fully investigated and that responsibility will be fixed,” Jaishankar said on social media platform ‘X’.
“Urged the early repatriation of the mortal remains of those who lost their lives. He emphasised that those injured were getting the requisite medical attention,” he said. “We will review the situation after MoS @KVSinghMPGonda reaches Kuwait tomorrow,” he said.
Spoke to Kuwaiti FM Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya on the fire tragedy in Kuwait.
Apprised of the efforts made by Kuwaiti authorities in that regard. Was assured that the incident would be fully investigated and that responsibility will be fixed.
Urged the early repatriation of the…
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 12, 2024
PM MODI REVIEW MEETING
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who described the incident as “saddening”, reviewed the situation at a meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, NSA Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and Principal Secretary to PM PK Mishra among others. Following the meeting, the prime minister announced ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh to the families of the deceased Indian nationals from the PM Relief Fund and directed that the government should extend all possible assistance.
“The fire mishap in Kuwait City is saddening. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. The Indian Embassy in Kuwait is closely monitoring the situation and working with the authorities there to assist the affected,” Modi said on ‘X’.
In its statement, the MEA said the Indian embassy in the Gulf nation is ascertaining the full details from the Kuwaiti authorities. “Those injured are presently admitted in five government hospitals (Adan, Jaber, Farwaniya, Mubarak Al Kabeer and Jahra) in Kuwait and receiving proper medical care and attention,” it said. “According to hospital authorities, most of the admitted patients are stable,” it said.
Upon reaching back to Delhi after today’s two oath taking ceremonies, chaired a meeting to review the situation in the wake of the fire mishap in Kuwait, where people of Indian origin have been affected.
GoI is doing everything possible to assist those affected by this gruesome… pic.twitter.com/DVmeCcEGZH
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 12, 2024
INDIAN ENVOY VISITS INCIDENT SITE
Following the incident, Ambassador of India in Kuwait Adarsh Swaika immediately visited the incident site and also the hospitals to ascertain the welfare of the Indian nationals. “The embassy continues to coordinate with local authorities to assist Indian nationals who have been injured in this unfortunate incident and extend all possible support. The embassy is receiving full cooperation from the Kuwaiti authorities,” the MEA said.
“Our Embassy in Kuwait continues to remain in touch with local authorities to provide relief to those affected. The Embassy has established a helpline +965-65505246 (WhatsApp and regular call) for family members to get in touch,” it said. The fire in Al-Mangaf building was reported to authorities in Al-Ahmadi governorate at 4.30 am and most of the deaths were due to smoke inhalation, Kuwaiti media reported, adding the fire started in a kitchen. Kuwait’s Interior Ministry in a statement confirmed that the death toll reached 49.