MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh in Kuwait to Assist Fire Victims, Repatriate Bodies

Kuwait City: In a swift response to a devastating fire in Kuwait, Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, arrived in the country to coordinate assistance for those injured and expedite the repatriation of the bodies of around 40 Indian nationals who died in the blaze. The fire, which broke out on Wednesday in a seven-story building housing 195 migrant workers in Mangaf, claimed the lives of at least 49 foreign workers and injured 50 others.

The Indian Embassy in Kuwait shared the minister’s arrival on X, highlighting his mission to support the injured and manage the repatriation process for the deceased.

On the directions of PM @narendramodi ji, MoS @KVSinghMPGonda arrived in Kuwait and immediately rushed to Jaber hospital to ascertain well being of injured Indians in the fire incident yesterday. He met the 6 injured admitted at the hospital. All of them are safe. pic.twitter.com/p7DrKItfIM

— India in Kuwait (@indembkwt) June 13, 2024

Following the incident, Kuwaiti authorities have initiated DNA tests on the bodies. An Indian Air Force aircraft is on standby to transport the remains back to India. The Ministry of External Affairs reported late Wednesday that about 40 Indians had died, and more than 50 were injured.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and reviewed the situation with top officials, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. He announced ex-gratia relief of ₹2 lakh to the families of the deceased from the PM Relief Fund and assured comprehensive assistance from the government.

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar spoke with his Kuwaiti counterpart, Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, to push for immediate repatriation and was assured of a thorough investigation and accountability. The Indian Embassy in Kuwait, led by Ambassador Adarsh Swaika, is actively coordinating with local authorities and ensuring the welfare of the injured, who are being treated in five government hospitals.

Kuwaiti authorities have detained the building’s landlord and the Egyptian guard, with strict instructions from Deputy Premier Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah not to release them without permission.

An investigation into the fire’s cause is ongoing, with initial reports suggesting a gas leak or use of inflammable materials as potential triggers.

The fire, which erupted around 4:00 am on Wednesday, produced thick black smoke, leading to severe suffocation among the victims. Most were asleep when the blaze began, and many succumbed while attempting to escape through smoke-filled stairs or were trapped due to a locked rooftop door.

This tragedy has prompted Kuwaiti officials to begin inspections of all buildings to address overcrowding and non-compliance with safety regulations, aiming to prevent future disasters of this nature.