India (Commonwealth Union)_ A tragedy unfolded in Kuwait’s Mangaf city as a devastating fire engulfed a building of migrant workers, resulting in the loss of forty eight lives and leaving fifty injured, as reported by the Ministry of External Affairs. The blaze, claiming a total of 48 lives, originated in the building’s kitchen, of a six-storey structure accommodating nearly 195 individuals, all employees of the same company. As such, most casualties occurred due to smoke inhalation while occupants were asleep.
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Efforts are still underway to provide medical care to the injured, who are currently receiving treatment in five government hospitals across Kuwait, namely Adan, Jaber, Farwaniya, Mubarak Al Kabeer, and Jahra. The Ministry affirmed that, according to hospital officials, the condition of most admitted patients is stable. Additionally, the Indian embassy in Kuwait has established a helpline (+965-65505246) to facilitate communication for concerned family members. Accordingly, Indian Ambassador Adarsh Swaika visited the site of the fire and the hospitals where the injured were being treated.
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Furthermore, Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait, has directed authorities to investigate the fire thoroughly, promising accountability for those responsible. Following the major fire tragedy that killed 45 Indians, a special Air Force aircraft was arranged from Kuwait to carry the remains of 45 deceased Indians. The flight arrived in Kochi, Kerala, today, and the aircraft then proceeded to Delhi. Among the passengers is Gonda MP Kirti Vardhan Singh, who swiftly journeyed to Kuwait upon assuming office as a junior minister in the foreign ministry.
The Indian embassy in Kuwait confirmed the departure of the aircraft carrying the mortal remains, acknowledging Minister Singh’s efforts in coordinating with Kuwaiti authorities for the prompt repatriation. It said, “A special IAF aircraft carrying mortal remains of 45 Indian victims in the fire incident in Kuwait has taken off for Kochi. MoS @KVSinghMPGonda, who coordinated with Kuwaiti authorities ensuring swift repatriation, is onboard the aircraft”. At Cochin airport, ambulances stood ready to receive the plane carrying the victims of the tragic incident.
The eruption in the six-storey building in Mangaf city claimed the lives of 48 individuals. Among the 176 Indian workers residing in the facility, 45 lost their lives, while 33 are receiving medical care. The embassy reported the safety of the remaining individuals. The deceased include nationals from various Indian states, including seven from Tamil Nadu, three from Uttar Pradesh, two from Odisha, and one each from Bihar, Punjab, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Haryana, with the majority of 23 hailing from Kerala. Minister Singh’s visit to Kuwait included interactions with hospitalized workers and discussions with Kuwaiti officials, including the First Deputy Prime Minister, Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah, who assured full cooperation for the swift repatriation of the bodies.
Additionally, identification of the deceased proved challenging due to the extent of their injuries, necessitating DNA testing for confirmation. Investigations are underway to determine how over 160 individuals were housed in the building. Additionally, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also engaged with his Kuwaiti counterpart, Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, receiving updates on the situation and assurances of a thorough investigation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing condolences, announced compensation of ₹ 2 lakh for the families of each deceased victim.
Minister of State Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh’s immediate travel to Kuwait, as directed by the Prime Minister, also expedited the repatriation of the deceased and provided medical assistance to the injured. Indians constitute a significant portion of Kuwait’s population and workforce, highlighting the magnitude of the loss in this tragic incident. Reports suggest that individuals from other countries, including Pakistan, the Philippines, Egypt, and Nepal, were also among the victims.
