Following a devastating building Kuwait fire that claimed the lives of 42 Indians, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh is travelling to Kuwait to assess the situation. "Some of the bodies have been charred beyond recognition and DNA testing is being carried out to identify the bodies. This might take some time to bring the mortal remains to India. The Air Force plane is on the go. As soon as the bodies are identified, they will be brought to India," he said this morning.

Kuwait fire
Image Source: You tube

The latest figures from the site suggest that at least 49 people have died in the fire in Mangaf city out of which 42 are believed to be Indians, and the remaining are from are from Pakistan, Filipin, Egypt and Nepal nationals, Singh confirmed. 11 out of the 42 deceased Indians are from Kerala.

PM Modi, on Wednesday evening, chaired a meeting to analyze the situation. He announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh to the families of those who were killed in the devastating fire in Kuwait.

Updates of the Kuwait Fire:

PM Modi extended his condolence to the families of the victims who lost their lives in the building fire. He called the incident as "saddening". He further directed that the Government of India should extend all possible assistance.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in an X post that his Kuwaiti counterpart has assured him that the incident would be thoroughly investigated. The Foreign Minister also stated that he urged him for the early repatriation of the bodies of those killed and for requisite medical attention for the injured.

The MEA (Ministry of External Affairs) has set up helpline numbers to provide regular updates to the family members of the victims. "Our Embassy in Kuwait continues to remain in touch with local authorities to provide relief to those affected. The Embassy has established a helpline +965-65505246 (WhatsApp and regular call) for family members to get in touch. Regular updates are being provided through the helpline."

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor urged the Kuwaiti government to take strict action against those responsible and to offer compensation to the families of the deceased. "It's a reminder, sadly, of how much our migrant workers suffer when they go abroad hoping to make something to support their families at home and they end up in these kinds of terrible conditions," ANI quoted him saying.

The Kuwaiti media reported that the fire initially started in the kitchen and spread to the other sections of the building. Reportedly, most of the deaths were due to smoke inhalation.

Kuwaiti Media also confirmed that the building was rented to construction firm NBTC group for the stay of more than 195 workers, most of them were Indians from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and northern states.

Kuwait's Interior Ministry confirmed that the death toll has reached 49. The ministry also stated that criminal evidence department personnel are currently working on identifying the victims and investigating the cause of the fire. It said strict measures will be taken against building owners who violate laid down norms.

You might also be interested in - Kuwait building inferno claims 41 lives, S Jaishankar offers condolences to victims’ families