Remains of 45 Indian Citizens Repatriated to Kochi; Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh Confirms Kuwait’s In-depth Investigation into Devastating Blaze

New Delhi: In the wake of the tragic fire incident in Kuwait’s Mangaf area, the Indian Air Force’s C-130J aircraft has brought home the mortal remains of 45 Indian migrant workers. The aircraft touched down at Cochin International Airport (CIAL) at approximately 10:30 am on Friday. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, who played a pivotal role in the rapid repatriation process, was also on board.

Upon arrival, the necessary formalities including customs, immigration, and health checks were promptly completed for the 45 bodies. A total of 31 bodies belonging to the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka were offloaded at CIAL. The remaining 14 bodies are scheduled to be transported to Delhi on the same aircraft, now operating as a domestic flight.

The Kuwaiti authorities are conducting thorough investigations to prevent such a devastating event from recurring. Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh conveyed that the Kuwaiti government is committed to understanding the cause of the fire and ensuring all related procedures are expedited.

Expressing deep sorrow, Minister of State for External Affairs stated, “I want to pay my heartfelt condolences to the families of the people who lost their lives in this accident. It is a very tragic incident and we are all very sad about it. The moment our Government got to know that this incident had taken place, PM Modi immediately convened a meeting and instructed us to reach Kuwait immediately and take all possible steps so that the mortal remains could be brought back as soon as possible.”

Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, along with other senior ministers and opposition leaders, paid their respects to the deceased hailing from Kerala. Kerala BJP President K Surendran remarked, “It is a very unfortunate incident but the Central government and the MEA have taken up the issue very seriously and the procedures were carried out quickly in Kuwait and the bodies are coming today. All procedures were completed by yesterday evening itself. We will visit the houses of all deceased and offer our condolences to the families.”

The nation mourns the loss of its citizens and stands in solidarity with the bereaved families during this difficult time. The swift action by the Indian government and the cooperation of the Kuwaiti authorities have been instrumental in bringing closure to the families of the victims.

The tragic incident in Kuwait has resulted in a significant loss of life, with 45 Indian nationals confirmed deceased. The Indian Mission in Kuwait has detailed the origins of the victims, indicating a wide geographical impact across India. The process of repatriating the remains is underway, involving coordination with state representatives in Kochi and Delhi.

This is indeed a tragic incident. The fire in Kuwait has claimed the lives of many migrant workers, including 45 Indians from various states. The Indian Mission in Kuwait has confirmed that the deceased are from Kerala (23), Tamil Nadu (7), Andhra Pradesh (3), UP (3), Odisha (2), Bihar, Punjab, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Haryana (1 each). The mortal remains will be handed over to the respective State Government representatives in Kochi and Delhi.

Kuwaiti authorities have confirmed the identification of the deceased after conducting DNA tests. They have also stated that the deadly fire was caused by an “electrical circuit”. Out of the 176 Indians in the housing facility, 33 are in various hospitals, while the rest are reportedly safe.

My thoughts are with the families of the deceased and the injured. It’s a reminder of the risks that migrant workers often face. Let’s hope for the speedy recovery of the injured and that measures are taken to prevent such incidents in the future.

The situation for the survivors is critical, with 33 individuals hospitalized. The Kuwaiti authorities have conducted DNA tests for identification purposes and have determined that an electrical circuit was the cause of the devastating fire. This event underscores the importance of stringent safety measures and protocols, especially in housing facilities accommodating large numbers of people. My thoughts are with all those affected by this tragedy.

The Kuwaiti authorities, following an examination of the incident scene, have confirmed the identification of 48 bodies—45 Indians and three Filipinos. This information was reported by the Kuwaiti news agency KUNA and the Arab Times.

Minister of State (MoS) Kirti Vardhan Singh, who visited Kuwait, engaged in discussions with key Kuwaiti officials, including the foreign minister, the health minister, and Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah. The Indian embassy has relayed that Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya has pledged comprehensive support, which encompasses medical care for the injured, the prompt repatriation of the deceased’s remains, and a thorough investigation into the fire incident.

The Indian government is actively involved in the aftermath of this tragedy, ensuring that the needs of the victims and their families are being addressed with urgency and sensitivity. The repatriation of the mortal remains is a priority, and the Indian Air Force has been mobilized to assist in bringing the victims home. The collective efforts of the Indian and Kuwaiti authorities aim to provide closure to the families and to prevent such incidents in the future.