Bodies charred beyond recognition: MoS flies to Kuwait after over 40 Indians die in tragic fire incident

Before heading to Kuwait to provide overseas assistance to the Indians injured in the tragic fire incident, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh assured that the Indian government is working on the repatriation of the mortal remains of those killed in the mishap.

At least 49 people, most of them Indians, were killed after a massive fire swept through a six-storey building that was housing foreign workers in Kuwait. Over 50 people were injured in the tragic incident. The Kuwaiti interior ministry confirmed the death toll after a forensic team scoured the building.

While speaking to the reporters before heading to the Middle Eastern Nation, Singh said that some of the bodies had been charred beyond recognition. “The rest of the situation will be clear the moment we reach there,” the Indian diplomat told ANI.

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Prime Minister Modi briefed on the matter

The MoS also made it clear that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been briefed on the matter. “We had a meeting last evening with the Prime Minister, that is the last update we have about this very sad tragedy… The rest of the situation will be clear the moment we reach there…”

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.”

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“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.

Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Kuwait said that they are constantly in touch with the local authorities to work on ways to provide help and relief to all those affected by the incident.

The Embassy has also established a helpline number +965-65505246 (WhatsApp and regular calls) for family members to get in touch. The authorities are also ensuring that regular updates are provided through the same helpline number.

Immediately after the news broke out, PM Modi chaired a review meeting and announced an ex gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister Relief Fund to the families of deceased Indian nationals.

PM expresses sorrow

The Prime Minister also took to X, formally known as Twitter to extend condolences to the families of the victims. “The fire mishap in Kuwait City is saddening. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their near and dear ones,” he wrote on X.

“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,” he added.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office official statement, “The meeting was chaired at his residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi.” “Prime Minister announced ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh to the families of deceased India nationals from the Prime Minister Relief Fund,” the statement added.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar, the Minister of State for External Affairs Kirtivardhan Singh, the PM’s Principal Secretary, Pramod Kumar Mishra, the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and other senior officials.

Jaishankar speaks to his Kuwaiti counterpart

Meanwhile, Jaishankar also held a conversation with his Kuwaiti counterpart over the matter. “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 would be fixed,” Jaishankar wrote on X, formally known as Twitter.

“Urged the early repatriation of the mortal remains of those who lost their lives. He emphasized that those injured were getting the requisite medical attention. We will review the situation after MoS @KVSinghMPGonda reaches Kuwait tomorrow,” he added.

With inputs from agencies.