Kuwait Building Fire Latest Updates | More Than 40 Indians Dead In Mangaf, At Least 19 Were From Kerala, 5 From Tamil Nadu

Latest Updates On Kuwait Building Fire: More than 40 Indians - some reports say 42 - died in a fire that engulfed a building housing foreign workers in Kuwait on Wednesday. Following the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a high-priority meeting last night with a team from the Ministry of External Affairs and other ministers concerned. To ensure the assistance of Indians affected by the fire incident and to take stock of the situation, the Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, visited Kuwait today.

The Union Minister of State for External Affairs, arrived in Kuwait and promptly visited Jaber Hospital to check on the well-being of Indians injured in the fire incident in Mangaf area the previous day. He personally met with six injured Indians receiving treatment at the hospital.

19 Victims Identified From Kerala; 5 From TN

Tamil Nadu Minister Gingee KS Masthan said based on information from Tamil associations five Tamils died in the fire incident in Kuwait, reported PTI.

According to PTI,  Kerala Government on Thursday said that 19 people from the State have so far been identified among those who lost their lives in the major fire that broke out in Kuwait's Mangaf area. The Cabinet decided that Health Minsiter Veena George and an IAS officer will immediately go to Kuwait. The decision was taken in an emergency cabinet meeting this morning. The meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The State government has also announced Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased and one lakh rupees for those injured.

Two of the victims included Lucose (48) and Sajan George (29), both from Kollam city. Lucose was working as a supervisor at NBTC Company in Kuwait for 18 years. While, George went to Kuwait after getting a job a month ago and worked as a junior mechanical engineer.  Earlier, 30-year-old Shameer, hailing from Sooranad village in Kerala's Kollam district, was identified among the deceased. 

Union Minister Reveals Details

Before departing for Kuwait to ensure the repatriation of those killed in the devastating fire, Kirti Vardhan Singh stated that some bodies were charred beyond recognition.  "The rest of the situation will be clear the moment we reach there," Singh said. Speaking to ANI at the Delhi Airport before flying for Kuwait, the MoS said, "We had a meeting last evening with the Prime Minister; that is the last update we have about this very sad tragedy. The rest of the situation will be clear the moment we reach there.” 

He further told the agency that a DNA test is underway to identify the burn victims.  The MoS mentioned that an Air Force plane is on standby and will bring the bodies back once they are identified and the families are informed. He added that the latest casualty figures from the previous night indicate around 48–49 deaths, with 42 or 43 believed to be Indians. 

#WATCH | Kuwait fire incident | Delhi: MoS MEA Kirti Vardhan Singh leaves from his residence. He is travelling to Kuwait today.

He says, "The incident in Kuwait is unfortunate. All of us including the PM are very concerned. I am going there and see the situation. People from… pic.twitter.com/SV6fLnaacm — ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2024

PM Modi Chairs Review Meeting 

PM Modi chaired a high-level meeting and announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh for the families of deceased Indians in the Kuwait incident.  Expressing deep sorrow over the unfortunate incident, Prime Minister Modi extended condolences to the families of the deceased and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured. He assured that the Indian government would provide all possible assistance. 

Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar was present in the meeting along with Minister of State for External Affairs Kirtivardhan Singh, PM's Principal Secretary Pramod Kumar Mishra, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, and other senior officials, reported ANI.

Links To Overcrowding

Local officials said the blaze appeared to be linked to code violations, as reported by the Associated Press. Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah confirmed the death toll and ordered the arrest of the building’s owner during his visit to the site, as reported by local media. 

According to AP, Al-Sabah said, “We will address the issue of labour overcrowding. I’m now going to see what violations were committed here, and I will deal with the owner of the property.”