 "Kuwait fire kills over 40 Indians: How the Modi govt swung into quick action to help victims’ families, survivors")
“Deeply shocked by the news of the fire incident in Kuwait city… Deepest condolences to the families of those who tragically lost their lives. Wish early and full recovery to those who have been injured,” wrote External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar shortly after a fire engulfed a building housing labourers in Kuwait.
On Wednesday (12 June), a devastating fire broke out at dawn in the Al-Mangaf building housing around 195 migrant workers in southern Kuwait’s Mangaf area, killing around 40 Indians and injuring another 50. Officials have said that the total fatalities in the tragedy are 49.
Following the news of the large number of Indians being affected in the blaze, the Modi government has stepped in and offering aid and assistance to those hurt and to the families who have lost their loved ones.
Blaze rips through building
A total of 49 people have died of which 42 are believed to be Indians after a fire swept through the building in Kuwait. More than 50 others were injured in the blaze, which broke out in the six-storey building south of Kuwait City at dawn.
According to building officials, the fire began in a kitchen in one of the houses in the building and quickly engulfed the other floors too. Social media images and videos showed black smoke pouring out of the upper-storey windows.
According to a report by Manorama Online, the incident occurred at 4 am, exacerbating the impact as most workers were asleep at the time. While some died when they jumped off the building in a desperate bid to escape the fire, most fatalities occurred from asphyxiation due to smoke inhalation.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsKuwaiti media has reported that construction firm NBTC group rented the building for the stay of more than 195 workers, most of them Indians from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and northern states. The NBTC group is partly owned by an Indian, officials said.
Following the blaze, Kuwait’s first deputy prime minister Sheikh Fahad al-Yousuf al-Sabah ordered the arrest of the building’s owner, saying: “Unfortunately, the greed of real estate owners is what leads to these matters.”
The Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah also ordered authorities to probe the massive fire, and vowed to hold accountable those responsible for the tragedy that killed at least 49 people.
PM Modi steps in
After news broke out of the fire, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is readying to leave for Italy for the G7 meet , expressed his deep sorrow over the tragedy. In a post on X, he described the “fire mishap in Kuwait City” as “saddening” and said his “thoughts are with all those who have lost their near and dear ones.” He also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
He also called for a review meet with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and Principal Secretary to PM PK Mishra among others.
Upon reaching back to Delhi after today’s two oath taking ceremonies, chaired a meeting to review the situation in the wake of the fire mishap in Kuwait, where people of Indian origin have been affected.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 12, 2024
GoI is doing everything possible to assist those affected by this gruesome… pic.twitter.com/DVmeCcEGZH
Following the meeting, the prime minister announced ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh to the families of the deceased Indian nationals from the PM Relief Fund and directed that the government should extend all possible assistance.
Also on his directions, Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh will travel to Kuwait where he will ensure “early repatriation of mortal remains as well as for medical assistance to those injured”.
Singh, before heading to Kuwait, told reporters that some of the bodies had been charred beyond recognition. “The rest of the situation will be clear the moment we reach there,” he was quoted as telling ANI.
When asked about the government’s plan to repatriate the mortal remains of the victims, Singh mentioned that DNA tests are currently underway. “The situation is that the victims are mostly burn victims and some of the bodies have been charred beyond recognition. So a DNA test is underway to identify the victims.”
“An Air Force plane is on standby. As soon as the bodies are identified, the kin will be informed and our Air Force plane will bring the bodies back. 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,” he added.
Helpline set up, envoy visits the injured
As part of India’s assistance, a helpline has been established at +965-65505246 (WhatsApp and regular calls) for family members to get in touch. Moreover, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to his Kuwaiti counterpart and urged him to ensure early repatriation of the mortal remains of those killed in the tragedy.
“Spoke to Kuwaiti FM Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya on the fire tragedy in Kuwait. Apprised of the efforts made by Kuwaiti authorities in that regard. Was assured that the incident would be fully investigated and that responsibility will be fixed,” Jaishankar said on X.
“Urged the early repatriation of the mortal remains of those who lost their lives. He emphasised that those injured were getting the requisite medical attention,” he said.
The Ambassador of India in Kuwait, Adarsh Swaika, also immediately visited the hospitals where the injured were being treated — they are admitted to five government hospitals — to ensure that Indian nationals were receiving the required treatment. The Indian embassy has reported that almost all the patients are reported to be stable by hospital authorities.
Condolences pour in
The Congress has also expressed sorrow over the lives lost, with the party chief Mallikarjun Kharge expressing his ‘anguish’ at the incident.
Congress general secretary in-charge organisation K C Venugopal said, “Deeply pained by the news of our fellow Indian citizens losing their lives due to a fire in a labour camp in Kuwait. My sincere condolences to the families of the departed souls. I urge the Ministry of External Affairs to urgently assist those injured in this accident and ensure handsome compensation to all victims and their families.”
Additionally, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said that she had instructed her chief secretary and the resident commissioner in New Delhi to enquire after the wellbeing of people from West Bengal who are in Kuwait.
Kerala’s Pinarayi Vijayan also wrote to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar seeking the Centre’s intervention. Terming the incident as “utmost painful”, Vijayan condoled the loss of lives in the tragedy. “I request your goodself to give necessary directions to the Indian Embassy to coordinate relief and rescue operations by getting in touch with the Government of Kuwait,” Vijayan said in his letter to Jaishankar.
With inputs from agencies
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