DNA tests were being done to identify the dead, and an IAF plane was on standby to bring back the bodies, Union Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh stated.
Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs, was asked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to travel to Kuwait to monitor relief efforts and facilitate the expedited repatriation of dead. He visited many hospitals to meet with the injured. He met with Kuwait’s deputy prime minister, Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, and foreign minister, Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, to assess the situation.
The fire on Wednesday at a building in Mangaf, southern Kuwait, killed 49 individuals, including 42 Indian nationals, and injured 56 others. The structure housed roughly 200 foreign workers. The majority of the dead and injured were from Kerala. There are over one million Indian expatriates in Kuwait.
The majority of the dead are burn victims, with several bodies burnt beyond recognition, Singh informed reporters before leaving New Delhi early on Thursday. DNA tests were being conducted to identify the dead, and an IAF aircraft was on standby to transport them back, Singh said.
The fire on Wednesday at a building in Mangaf, southern Kuwait, killed 49 individuals, including 42 Indian nationals, and injured another 56. The structure
housed roughly 200 foreign workers. The majority of those killed and injured were from Kerala. Kuwait has over one million Indian expatriates.
The majority of the victims are burn victims, and some of the bodies have been burnt beyond recognition, Singh told reporters before leaving New Delhi early Thursday. DNA tests were being conducted to identify the dead, and an IAF aircraft was on standby to retrieve them, Singh said.
Singh was informed during his meeting with Al-Sabah that Kuwait’s Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, had issued instructions to ensure that individuals affected by the fire received the required help and support.
According to an Indian embassy post on X, Singh praised Al-Sabah and Kuwait’s leadership for the “pro-active facilitation being provided by Kuwaiti authorities”.
Al-Yahya expressed his condolences for the unfortunate tragedy and told Singh that Kuwait will provide full help, including medical care, early repatriation of bodies, and an investigation into the incident.
Kuwait is using all of its resources to address the medical requirements of the injured, and authorities are investigating the circumstances and causes of the horrible fire, according to Al-Yahya in a foreign ministry statement. He stated that justice in this case will be carried out with complete transparency and integrity.
Singh praised the Kuwaiti government’s quick response and the medical attention offered to those affected.
Singh visited Adan Hospital, where 12 Indians are receiving treatment. He also visited Mubarak Al Kabeer Hospital, where seven Indians are being treated for injuries, and Jaber Hospital, where six people are being treated. Singh inquired about their well-being and told them that the Indian government will provide them with full support.
According to people acquainted with the situation, an IAF C-130J Hercules medium-lift aircraft was scheduled to fly to Kuwait late Thursday to recover the bodies of the deceased.
