Kuwait fire disaster:- A special Indian Air Force aircraft has transported the bodies of Indians, including many Malayalis, who died in the Kuwait fire disaster. The aircraft left Kuwait at 1:15 am local time and is expected to reach Kochi at 8:30 am. Onboard the aircraft is Union Minister of State for External Affairs, V. Muraleedharan, along with other officials.
Details of the Fire Incident
The fire occurred on Wednesday in a residential building in Block 4 of Mangaf, Kuwait. This building was owned by a Malayali expatriate and housed many Indian workers. Out of the 49 victims, 45 were Indians, including 24 Malayalis. The bodies of 31 of the Indian victims are being flown to Cochin International Airport, and from there, the aircraft will continue to Delhi with the remaining bodies.
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Reception in Kochi
The state government has organized ambulances to transport the bodies to their respective homes as soon as they arrive in Kochi. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other ministers will be present to receive the bodies. Among the deceased, there are 23 Malayalis, seven residents of Tamil Nadu, and one from Karnataka. One of the victims was originally from Karunagappally, Kollam, but resided permanently in Mumbai.
Cause and Investigation of the Fire
Kuwaiti authorities have completed DNA tests to identify the bodies. The fire was attributed to an “electrical circuit” malfunction, as reported by the Kuwaiti news agency KUNA. Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s First Deputy Prime Minister, confirmed that 48 bodies, including 45 Indians and three Filipinos, have been identified.
Medical Support
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh visited Kuwait, where he met with Kuwait’s foreign minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, Al-Sabah, and Health Minister Ahmad Abdelwahab Ahmad Al-Awadi. The Indian embassy in Kuwait reported that Foreign Minister Al-Yahya assured full support, including medical care for the injured, quick repatriation of the bodies, and a thorough investigation.
Singh also visited hospitals where injured Indians are receiving treatment. The Kuwaiti health minister assured Singh of the measures being taken to ensure their speedy recovery under his direct supervision.
Response from Indian Authorities
Following a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other top officials, the prime minister announced financial aid of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased from the PM Relief Fund and directed that all possible assistance be provided. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar communicated with his Kuwaiti counterpart, urging quick repatriation of the bodies and ensuring that the injured receive proper medical care. He was assured of a full investigation into the incident.
Fire Incident Details
The fire in the Al-Mangaf building, reported at 4:30 am on Wednesday, mainly resulted in deaths due to smoke inhalation. The fire started in the kitchen of the building, which was rented by the NBTC group for over 195 workers, mostly Indians from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and northern states. Interior Minister Al-Sabah has ordered an investigation and directed the arrest of the building’s owner and janitor.
