IAF Aircraft brings back the bodies of victims II VYGR

Kuwait Fire: The bodies of several of the Indians killed in the fire in Kuwait have been burnt beyond recognition, and DNA testing is underway to authenticate the victims' identities. The fire erupted in the six-storey building's kitchen early yesterday. Nearly 200 individuals lived in the building, and officials reported that the majority of deaths were caused by smoke inhalation while sleeping. According to sources, at least 49 individuals were killed in the Mangaf city fire, with 45 of them suspected to be Indians. On Wednesday, Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah ordered authorities to probe the massive fire.

IAF Aircraft Landed in Cochin

An Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft carrying the bodies of 45 Indians killed in a Kuwait building fire has landed at Cochin International Airport. The victims' mortal remains will be returned to their homes, including those in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The C-130J Hercules plane took off from Kuwait early Friday morning and will now fly to Delhi carrying the bodies of victims from different states. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Cabinet members, and senior government officials from the Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) are at the airport for official processes and to pay their final respects.

Kerala Health Minister Denied Permission to Visit Kuwait

On Friday, June 14, Kerala Health Minister Veena George claimed that the central government denied her permission to travel to Kuwait to organize aid for Indian nationals from the state of Kerala affected by the fire tragedy in Kuwait's southern city of Mangaf. 24 of the Indian victims were suspected to be from Kerala. The state administration of Kerala decided to send George to Kuwait to assist with relief efforts, which included treating the injured and repatriating the deceased. However, the minister complained that the embassy did not provide them with precise data regarding the number of badly injured people, along with denying her visit.

The MoS' Visit to Kuwait

Kirti Vardhan Singh, Union Minister of State for External Affairs, arrived in Kuwait on Thursday to supervise the relief procedure for those injured in the tragedy and to work with local authorities for the rapid return of the lifeless remains of the deceased to India. He mentioned

“An Air Force plane is on standby. Once the identifications are complete, families will be notified, and the Air Force plane will transport the bodies back to India."

MoS @KVSinghMPGonda visited Jahra hospital and interacted with 6 Indians admitted there. He appreciated the good care provided to the Indian patients for faster recovery. pic.twitter.com/o679twIBzo— India in Kuwait (@indembkwt) June 13, 2024

The State Government's Take

24 victims are suspected to be from Kerala while others were from neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. The Kerala government has announced ₹ 5 lakh for the families of workers who died in the fire. On Thursday morning, the decision was made at an emergency Cabinet meeting headed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The cabinet also determined to grant Rs 1 lakh in financial help to anyone harmed in the tragedy. It was also decided to promptly deploy State Health Minister Veena George to Kuwait to coordinate efforts to provide treatment to the injured and return the bodies of those who died in the tragedy.

Inputs: Agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies