Kerala’s Health Minister Veena George will fly to Kuwait on Wednesday after a massive fire at a residential building killed over 40 Indians, prompting the government to swing into action to assist the families of the dead and injured.
The Government of Kerala has been informed that at least 12 Malyalees are among the victims of the fire. Kerala has also announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for those who were injured by the accident.
A fire broke out in the early hours of Wednesday in a building located in Kuwait’s Mangaf city that housed mostly migrant workers. Among the others who died from the fire were people from Pakistan, the Philippines, Egypt and Nepal.
Meanwhile, the Kerala government has called for an emergency cabinet meeting in view of the accident.
The Chief Minister’s Office said in a statement, “An emergency cabinet meeting convened by the Kerala government is underway, starting at 10 AM this morning. The meeting will discuss the repatriation of bodies and whether any ministers need to go to Kuwait to coordinate relief efforts. The meeting is chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.”
Charred bodies found
Before boarding the plane, Minister of State of MEA Kirti Vardhan Singh spoke to reporters and said that some of the bodies had charred beyond recognition and that DNA tests would be conducted to identify them. After identification, the bodies of the Indian workers will be brought back to India via an Indian Air Force plane.
“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 said.
The devastating fire prompted Prime Minister Narendra Modi to direct Singh to travel to Kuwait immediately to assist the injured Indians and oversee the repatriation process.
“The fire mishap in Kuwait City is saddening. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their near and dear ones,” Modi said on X following which he held a meeting to review the situation.
Kuwait launches probe
Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Wednesday ordered an immediate probe into the accident and vowed to punish those responsible for the fire.
While there is no official word on what caused the fire, Kuwait’s public prosecutor has begun its investigation into the matter.
Some locals have said that a gas leak might have caused the fire.
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Kerala health minister to visit Kuwait after 12 Malyalees among those killed in fire
