NE NEWS SERVICE
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/NEW DELHI/DUBAI, June 12
The Government of India rushed MoS for External Affairs to Kuwait after a major fire in a six-story building in Mangaf reportedly claimed the lives of scores of Indians. The building, used by Indian laborers, went up in flames on Wednesday morning, killing at least 49 people. Names of the victims suggest most victims hail from Kerala.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan writes to Union Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar, urging immediate intervention in the wake of the fire in Kuwait.
The death toll is expected to rise further as some of the critically injured workers are battling for life at various hospitals.
The fire broke out in a kitchen on the ground floor of the six-storied building on Wednesday morning in Mangaf area’s Block 4 of the city. It accommodated nearly 195 workers, mostly Indians belonging to a supermarket chain group owned by an NRI businessman from Kerala.
Indian Ambassador Adarsh Swaika visited Al Adan hospital, where most of the injured Indians were admitted and said on ‘X’ that the condition of the most of the workers was stable. The Ambassador also visited the fire mishap site along with local officials to assess the situation.
“In connection with the tragic fire-accident involving Indian workers today, Embassy has put in place an emergency helpline number: +965-65505246. All concerned are requested to connect over this helpline for updates. Embassy remains committed to render all possible assistance,” the Indian Embassy in Kuwait said in a post on X.
Sharing a post on X by Indian Embassy in Kuwait, the Prime Minister wrote;
The fire mishap in Kuwait City is saddening. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. The Indian Embassy in Kuwait is closely monitoring the situation and working with the authorities there to assist… https://t.co/cb7GHN6gmX
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 12, 2024
“The fire mishap in Kuwait City is saddening. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. The Indian Embassy in Kuwait is closely monitoring the situation and working with the authorities there to assist the affected.”
Amb @AdarshSwaika1 visited Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital, where 11 workers injured in today's fire have been admitted. 10 of them are expected to be released today & one in hospital is reportedly stable. He met with patients still in hospital & assured them of Embassy's full support pic.twitter.com/cAbLhBxspp
— India in Kuwait (@indembkwt) June 12, 2024
Indians constitute 21 per cent (1 million) of the total population of Kuwait and 30 per cent of its workforce (approximately 9 lakhs). “Deeply shocked by the news of the fire incident in Kuwait City. There are reportedly over 40 deaths and over 50 have been hospitalized. Our Ambassador has gone to the camp. We are awaiting further information,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in a post on X.
“Deepest condolences to the families of those who tragically lost their lives. Wish early and full recovery to those who have been injured. Our Embassy will render the fullest assistance to all concerned in this regard,” he added.
“As directed by PM @narendramodi, MoS for External Affairs @KVSinghMPGonda is urgently travelling to Kuwait to oversee assistance to those injured in the fire tragedy and to coordinate with local authorities for early repatriation of mortal remains of those who have died in this unfortunate incident,” MEA India spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal jotted on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday evening.
The tragic incident has highlighted the safety conditions of workers’ accommodations in the country and has prompted the Kuwait government to launch a special campaign to shut down all such facilities that failed to comply with safety measures. The government also suspended four senior officials of the Kuwait Municipality following the incident.
Deputy Prime Minister and Interior, Defence Minister Shaikh Fahad Yousef Al Sabha inspected the site and also the injured workers at hospitals. He told reporters that there would be zero tolerance towards any building violations.
PM condoles loss of lives due to fire mishap in Kuwait City
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a review meeting on the fire tragedy in Kuwait in which a number of Indian nationals died and many were injured, at his residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi earlier today.
Prime Minister expressed his deep sorrow at the unfortunate incident and extended condolences to the families of the deceased. He wished speedy recovery of those injured.
Prime Minister directed that Government of India should extend all possible assistance. MOS External Affairs should immediately travel to Kuwait to oversee the relief measures and facilitate expeditious repatriation of the mortal remains.
Prime Minister announced ex- gratia relief of Rupees 2 lakh to the families of the deceased India nationals from Prime Minister Relief Fund.
The Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar, the Minister of State for External Affairs Kirtivardhan Singh, Principal Secretary to PM Pramod Kumar Mishra, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and other senior officials were also present in the meeting.
