Kuwait Fire Tragedy LIVE: At least 41 Indians were killed and several dozens were injured in Kuwait after a fire engulfed a six-storey building on Wednesday. Kuwait, like other countries of the West Asia, has a large community of migrant workers who generally outnumber the local population. The fire broke out in a kitchen on one of the lower floors of the building in Kuwait’s Mangaf Area. The cause of the fire is not clear yet. Prime Minister Modi held a meeting on Wednesday night to review the situation and announced ex-gratia relief of ₹2 lakh to the families of deceased Indian nationals from the Prime Minister Relief Fund. He has also extended condolences to the families of the deceased in a fire tragedy in Kuwait. Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh is travelling to Kuwait and take stock of the relief operations being conducted to assist those who were injured. Singh, who is travelling to Kuwait on the instructions of PM Modi, said that DNA tests are underway as most of the bodies are beyond recognition.
Stay tuned with Republic for the latest updates:
‘I Am Going There And I Will Inform About Conditions’: MoS MEA Kirti Vardhan Singh
Before leaving for Kuwait to review the situation, MoS MEA Kirti Vardhan Singh said, “The incident in Kuwait is unfortunate. All of us including the PM are very concerned. I am going there and see the situation. People from our embassy are already there on the ground looking after the injured… I am going there and I will inform the government regarding the conditions there… 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 place is on the go. As soon as the bodies are identified, they would be brought to India.”
He added that an Air Force plane is on the ready to bring the bodies as soon as they are identified, the kin will be informed and our Air Force plane will bring the bodies back.
Death Toll Around 42-43: Union Min Kirti V Singh
Before leaving for Kuwait, MoS MEA Kirti Vardhan Singh said, “The latest figures that we had last night, the casualty figures are around 48-49 out of this 42 or 43 are believed to be Indians.”
PM Modi Expresses Grief, Chaired Meeting to Review Situation
PM @narendramodi chaired a meeting to review the situation in the wake of the fire tragedy in Kuwait, in which people of Indian origin have been affected.
The PM expressed grief over the fire tragedy in Kuwait. He extended condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for a quick recovery of the injured.
Indian Embassy in Kuwait Issues Emergency Helpline Number
In connection with eh tragic fire accident in Kuwait’s Mangaf area, the Indian Embassy in Kuwait issued a helpline number in a post on X, “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.”
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri Expresses Condolences
“Deeply saddened by the demise of several Indian citizens in a tragic fire accident in Kuwait. I offer heartfelt condolence to the bereaved families. May God grant them strength to overcome their irreparable loss. Praying for speedy recovery of those injured,” Hardeep Singh said.
Kuwait Authority Releases Names of 16 Indians Killed in Fire-Tragedy
The Government of Kuwait released the first set of names of 16 people who died in the tragic fire incident. Following are the names of the deceased, who have been identified:
Shibu VargheseThomas JosephPraveen Madhav SinghShameerLukeKelu PonmaleriStephen Abraham SabuAnil GiriSaju VargheseMuralidharan P.VVishwas KrishnanArun BabuSajan GeorgeRanjith KundatukkamAkash Sasidharan NairDenny Baby Karunakara
Kuwait Interior Min Sheikh Fahad Al Yusuf Assabah Orders House Arrest of Building’s Owner
Kuwaiti Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al Yusuf Assabah visited the site of the fire in Kuwait’s Mangaf area. Calling it a “real tragedy” he ordered the house arrest of the owner of the building where the fire occurred, the watchman of the building and the owner of the company responsible for the workers’ deaths.
He further directed that the culprits should not be released from the criminal court without his permission.
UAE Expresses Solidarity to Victims and Kuwait
The United Arab Emirates expressed solidarity with Kuwait in the wake of a tragic fire accident. In a statement, the UAE’s Foreign Ministry expressed condolences to the Kuwaiti government and people, and to the families of the victims, wishing speedy recovery for the injured.
Injured Under Treatment
Some 50 people are reported to be injured and are currently being treated in these five government hospitals – Adan, Jaber, Farwaniya, Mubarak Al Kabeer and Jahra – in Kuwait. The Kuwaiti ministry said that, according to hospital authorities, most of the admitted patients are stable.
‘Greed of Real Estate Owners is What Leads to These Matters’: Kuwait Deputy PM Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah
In the wake of the tragedy, Deputy Prime Minister of Kuwait Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah said, “Unfortunately, the greed of real estate owners is what leads to these matters.”
PM Modi Offers Rs 2 Lakh Ex-Gratia to Families of Indian Killed
An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.
‘Deeply shocked’: MEA S Jaishankar Expresses Grief Over Kuwait Fire Tragedy
Following the deadly fire incident in Kuwait, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed deep anguish over the tragedy that claimed the lives of at least 41 Indians.
“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. 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.”
What Happened?
On Wednesday, June 12, a massive fire engulfed a building in Kuwait’s Mangfa area which claimed the lives of nearly 50 people with several dozens sustaining injuries. The preliminary investigations quoted by local media reported that the explosion of a cooking gas cylinder in the quarters of an Egyptian security guard ignited a blaze that quickly spread throughout the building.
Kuwait Fire Kills 41 Indians: DNA Tests to Identify Victims, MoS Kirti Heads to Mangaf | LIVE world-news World News | Latest International Global World News | Todays Breaking News Headlines
