Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh announced his immediate travel to Kuwait on Thursday after a devastating fire claimed the lives of at least 41 Indians in the city early Wednesday. He remarked, “The incident in Kuwait is unfortunate. All of us, including the PM, are very concerned.” He also mentioned that the bodies would be repatriated to India as soon as they were identified.
Singh revealed the latest figures, noting that “the casualty figures are around 48–49, with 42 or 43 believed to be Indians.” The fire erupted in a building housing workers in Mangaf, southern Kuwait, early on Wednesday (June 12). Among the victims, 41 Indians, including 11 Keralites, lost their lives in this tragic event.
Kuwait, like other Persian Gulf countries, hosts a large community of migrant workers who significantly outnumber the local population. This nation of approximately 4.2 million people is slightly smaller than the U.S. state of New Jersey but possesses the world’s sixth-largest known oil reserves.
13 June 2024, 12:14:42 PM IST
Kuwait Building Fire Live: Minister KV Singh Arrives in Kuwait
“On the directions of Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, MoS @KVSinghMPGonda arrives in Kuwait to oversee assistance to those injured in the fire tragedy and coordinate with local authorities for early repatriation of the mortal remains of those who have died in this unfortunate incident,” posts the Indian Embassy, Kuwait.
13 June 2024, 12:09:55 PM IST
Kuwait Building Fire Live: 19 Keralites dead, Kerala government to provide ₹5 lakh financial assistance to their families
The Kerala government has announced ₹5 lakh in financial assistance for the families of Keralites who perished in the Kuwait fire. Kerala Health Minister Veena George will soon depart for Kuwait to coordinate the treatment of the injured and the return of the deceased’s bodies, the state government stated. Reports confirm that 19 Keralites died in the Kuwait fire tragedy.
Kuwait Building Fire Live: The Kerala government convenes an emergency cabinet meeting.
The Kerala government has called an emergency Cabinet meeting in response to the Kuwait disaster. “An emergency cabinet meeting convened by the Kerala government is underway, starting at 10 a.m. 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,” the Chief Minister’s Office said on Thursday.
