On Friday, the Indian Air Force transported the bodies of 45 overseas workers who tragically lost their lives in a housing block fire in Kuwait. The flight arrived in Kochi, located in the southern state of Kerala, carrying the deceased workers.
According to a post by the Indian Embassy in Kuwait City, Kirti Vardhan Singh, the Minister for External Affairs, has been sent to Kuwait to work with Kuwaiti authorities to facilitate the repatriation process and help those who were injured in the fire. Singh is currently on board and ready to coordinate efforts.
Before being flown back home, Singh confirmed that the victims had been identified through DNA testing.
According to a news release published online, the embassy has reported that the mortal remains of 34 individuals from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka were transferred to state officials. The remaining 11 victims from central and northern states were transported to New Delhi on the same flight.
At Kochi Airport, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed his deep sorrow over the tragic incident that occurred in Kuwait. He stated that the migrant workers of Kerala are the backbone of the state and this incident is a massive blow to the community. “The fire in Kuwait is one of the most significant tragedies to impact our people,” he added. Along with other state politicians, he was present at the airport to welcome the flight carrying the affected migrant workers.
During his visit to Kuwait, Minister Singh toured five hospitals where he met with 33 Indian nationals who were undergoing treatment. The minister was informed that their discharge would be gradual and dependent on their recovery progress.
According to reports, 98 Indian workers who reside at the Mangaf facility, situated 23 miles south of downtown Kuwait City, have been confirmed safe.
As the workers were asleep early on Wednesday, a blaze erupted, claiming the lives of 50 individuals. The Kuwait authorities have reported that most of the fatalities were caused by smoke inhalation, including three Filipinos and two victims who remain unidentified.
Human rights organizations have previously cautioned about the housing and overall living conditions of migrant labor in Kuwait. The country has a high percentage of overseas workers, with up to two-thirds of the population consisting of such individuals. The majority of them work in construction or as domestic helpers.
The cause of the fire that occurred recently is being investigated by prosecutors, as local media speculates that it may have been caused by a gas leak.
According to a report by the Kuwait Times, Col. Sayed Al-Mousawi, the chief investigator of the Kuwait Fire Department, has stated that his team has identified the use of flammable material for partitions between apartments and rooms. As a result, thick black smoke emanated from these materials which overcame the victims as they tried to flee down the stairs.
According to him, they couldn’t make their way up to the roof due to a locked exit.
Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah, the Deputy Premier, has issued directives to city hall to conduct thorough inspections of all buildings. He has given authorization to the concerned authorities to take immediate corrective measures for any violations found during the inspections.
The Public Authority of Manpower is currently investigating the problem of overcrowding in accommodations for expatriate workers, as well as non-compliance with safety regulations.
