Kuwait Fire: Andhra CM Chandrababu Naidu Announces Ex-Gratia of Rs 5 Lakh to Kins of 3 Deceased

Kuwait Fire Tragedy: The death toll in the Kuwait building fire climbed to 50 with one more Indian national succumbing at a hospital in the Gulf country on Friday morning. With this the number of Indians perished in the massive blaze stands at 46. The special Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft carrying the bodies of the 45 Indians killed in the blaze landed at Cochin International airport in Kerala's Kochi on Friday morning. The plane is expected to leave for Delhi. Mos Kirti Vardhan Singh, who had to rush to Kuwait soon after taking charge as a junior minister in the foreign ministry, also returned in the same aircraft. The fire broke out in a kitchen on one of the lower floors of the building in Kuwait's Mangaf Area. Soon after the tragedy, Prime Minister Modi held a meeting on Wednesday night to review the situation and announced ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh to the families of deceased Indian nationals.   

Stay tuned with Republic for all the latest updates on Kuwait Fire Tragedy:

• Jharkhand CM expresses grief over death of Ranchi man in Kuwait fire

Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren on Friday expressed grief over the demise of a man from Ranchi in the Kuwait fire tragedy that has claimed the lives of more than 40 Indians.He also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased.Md Ali Hussain (24), a resident of Ranchi's Hindpiri locality, was killed in the fire that broke out in a multi-storey building in Kuwait. Ali's father Mubarak Hussain said his youngest son went to Kuwait around 18 days ago.

• Angad Gupta, a resident of Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh lost his life in the Kuwait fire incident.

•  Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of three persons from the state who died in the recent Kuwait fire incident.

T Lokanadam from Sompeta in Srikakulam district and M Satyanarayana and M Eswarudu from Peravali in East Godavari district died in the incident.

"Naidu is monitoring this matter closely and instructed relevant departments to coordinate and ensure the smooth transportation of the mortal remains of the deceased (persons) to their native places," said an official press release.

• Mortal remains of Indian victims in the fire incident in Kuwait being brought out of the special Indian Air Force aircraft at Palam Technical Airport. 

• Flight carrying bodies of Indian citizens killed in Kuwait fire lands in Delhi

• Odisha CM Expresses Grief Over Death of Two Persons From State in Kuwait Fire

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday expressed grief over the death of two persons from the state in a massive fire in Kuwait. "Many people lost their lives in the terrible fire in Kuwait. The news of the death of two Odia sons Muhammad Jahur and Santosh Kumar Gouda is very sad. I offer my condolences to the bereaved family and pray to Lord Jagannath to give peace to the departed souls," Majhi said in an X post.

• 'Kuwaiti Govt Has Taken This Incident Very Seriously'

MoS MEA Kirti Vardhan Singh said"The Kuwaiti govt has taken this incident very seriously. They are making inquiries as to how it happened so that this kind of a tragic incident is never repeated. They have also assured us that all the paperwork regarding the insurance that is to be paid to the families, the compensation will be done as immediately as possible. His Highness has also, from his part, provided compensation to the families of the victims who have perished in this tragic incident."

• Mortal Remains of Victims Handed Over to Families
• Kuwait Fire: Mortal Remains of 31 Indians Received at Kochi Airport, Political Leaders Pay Tributes

The mortal remains of 31 Indians, including 23 Malayalees, who died in the Kuwait fire tragedy were received at the international airport here on Friday by Central and state ministers, including Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who paid tributes to the deceased. An Indian Air Force (IAF) flight carrying the mortal remains of 45 Indians who died in the tragic fire incident in Kuwait two days ago, landed at the international airport here at around 10.30 am. Of the 45 mortal remains carried by the IAF C30J aircraft, 31 were received at the airport here.

• Bodies of Victims From Non-Southern States to Be Offloaded in Delhi: MoS KV Singh 

MoS MEA Kirti Vardhan Singh said, "31 victims are from Kerala and surrounding southern states. Their mortal remains are being offloaded here. The remaining will be offloaded in Delhi and then from there, they will be transferred to their respective homes. The people who were injured in this incident are in hospitals. They have been put in five different hospitals. We visited all 5 hospitals and met with all the injured people individually and inquired about their health...There were 3 people in the ICU of which 2 are recovering and there's one person who the doctors will be keeping in the ICU for some time..."

• Expect Kuwait to Offer Compensation to Kin of Victims: CM Pinarayi
• List of Deceased Indian Nationals in NBTC Fire Incident per the details shared by Kuwaiti Authoritie

1 Vacham Marapp- Tami Nadu 
2 Satyanarayana Molleti- Andhra Pradesh 
3 Eeswarudu Meesal-Andhra Pradesh
4 Arun Babu- Kerala
5. Chinnadhurai Krishnamoorthy- Tamil Nadu
6 Sheo Shanker Singh- Bihar
7 Nithin Koothur- Kerala
8 Aneesh Kumar Unnan Kandy- Kerala
9 Sivashankar Govindan- Tamil Nadu
10 Cibin Thevarottu Abraham- Kerala
11 Thomas Chirayil Oommen- Kerala
12 Mathew Thomas- Kerala
13 Akash Sasidharan Nair- Kerala
14 Mahammad Jahur- Odisha
15 Rengith Kundadukkam- Kerala
16 Shibu Varghese- Kerala
17 Vijayakumar Prasanna- Karnataka
18 Raju Ebamesan- Tamil Nadu
19 Bhunaf Richard Roy Anandha Manoharan- Tamil Nadu
20 Sreejesh Thankappan Nair- Kerala
21 Saju Varghese- Kerala
22 Kelu Ponmaleri- Kerala
23 Stephin Abraham Sabu- Kerala
24 Bahuleyan Marakkadath Parambil- Kerala
25 Denny Baby Karunakaran- Maharashtra
26 Santosh Kumar Gouda- Odisha
27 Nooh Kuppante Purakkal- Kerala
28 Lukose Vadakottu Oonnunny- Kerala
29 Sajan George- Kerala
30 Pulinilkunna Vasudevan Muraleedharan Nair- Kerala
31 Karupannan Ramu- Tamil Nadu
32 Dwarikesh Patta Nayak- West Bengal
33 Praveen Madhav Singh- Uttar Pradesh
34 Mohammed Sharief Sharief- Tamil Nadu
35 Lokanadham Tamada- Andhra Pradesh
36 Viswas Krishnan- Kerala
37 Jairam Gupta- UP 
38 Sreehari Pradeep- Kerala
39 Md Ali Hussain - Jharkhand
40 Binoy Thomas Thomas- Kerala
41 Angad Gupta- Uttar Pradesh
42 Shameer Umarudheen - Kerala
43 Himat Rai - Punjab
44 Anil Giri- Haryana
45 Sumesh Pillai Sundaran- Kerala

• ‘Hope Kuwait Govt Takes Necessary Action Against Culprits’

On mortal remains of Kuwait fire incident victims to reach Kochi airport, Kerala Congress MLA Chandy Oommen said, "It is a tragedy...We have lost our fellow brothers to this tragedy. I hope the government of Kuwait will take the necessary action against the culprits and they will provide compensation to the bereaved families...The GoI has to take necessary action so that our people get accommodation in places where there is safety..."

• Visuals of Special IAF Aircraft at Cochin International Airport

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• CM Pinarayi Vijayan Arrives at Cochin International Airport

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan arrived at the Cochin International Airport where the special IAF aircraft carrying the mortal remains of 45 Indian victims in the fire incident in Kuwait landed.

• The Tragedy is So Voluminous and Impactful: Union Minister Suresh Gopi

Union Minister Suresh Gopi said, "The tragedy is so voluminous and impactful, that it is a thud on the 'pravaasi' community, which helped the economic situation in Kerala... The state and the country have very high regard for the 'pravaasi' community and it is very painful. The individual loss is of every home which has been implicated by this tragedy... India will play its role very well because we have initiated action as soon as the news was received. The GoI will take appropriate actions and decisions and make very appropriate deliverances... A flock of Malayalis and Indians will get into the fray of the resurgence of some families... We have our contingent working to look after people in all health conditions. They will be brought back to India and their rehabilitation will also be taken care of. It's no graciousness, it is the duty of the GoI and the state government also."

• Moment of Grief for Entire Keralite Community: Congress MP Hibi Eden

On mortal remains of  Kuwait fire incident victims to reach Kochi airport, Congress MP Hibi Eden said, "It is a moment of grief for the entire Keralite community...It is an unfortunate incident...Besides political differences of opinion the government, the opposition is working hand in hand to ensure that the families get relief...All arrangements at the airport have been made...The bodies will be paid homage and then will be sent to their respective homes"

• IAF Plane With Bodies Of 45 Indians Lands in Kerala

An Indian Air Force (IAF) flight carrying the mortal remains of the Indians who died in the tragic fire incident in Kuwait two days ago, landed at the international airport here at around 10.30am on Friday.
 

• Kerala BJP Chief K Surendran Arrives at Cochin International Airport

Kerala BJP President K Surendran arrived at the Cochin International Airport where the special IAF aircraft carrying the mortal remains of 45 Indian victims in the fire incident in Kuwait will reach shortly.
 

• 30 From Kerala Undergoing Treatment in Kuwait: Kerala Health Minister Veena George

Kerala Health Minister Veena George said, "... It will not take much time for the public homage. Everything will be done in minimum time. We are only waiting for the official procedures to be done... Every body is numbered, all the ambulances are numbered, and the addresses are given to the ambulances. Everything is done in coordination with the police... Everything will be done in the interest of the families... The embassy has not yet declared the number of injured persons who are being treated in the hospitals. According to unofficial information which we collected, 30 people from Kerala are undergoing treatment out of which 7 are in the ICU..."

• 'Unfortunate That Kerala Minister Veena George Was Not Permitted to Travel to Kuwait'

Kerala Revenue Minister K. Rajan said, "It was an unfortunate incident that Kerala Health Minister Veena George was not permitted to travel to Kuwait.  Our intention was to coordinate the efforts and make sure the people of Kerala admitted to the hospitals there are getting treatment.  But the Union Government made her wait due to technical reasons."

• Police Force, Ambulances Deployed at Cochin International Airport

Police force and ambulances have been deployed at the Cochin International Airport where the special IAF aircraft carrying the mortal remains of 45 Indian victims in the fire incident in Kuwait will reach shortly.

• 'Made All Required Arrangements for Receiving Bodies'

"We have made all the required arrangements for receiving the bodies...We have coordinated with the family members of the victims...Once the bodies are received, they will be properly escorted to their respective places...23 bodies belong to Kerala, 7 belong to Tamil Nadu and 1 belong to Karnataka...A dedicated vehicle will be provided for each body..."

• Kerala Minister K Rajan Arrives at Kochi Airport Where IAF Aircraft Carrying Mortal Remains of Indian Victims Will Land Shortly
  Kerala Revenue Minister K Rajan arrived at the Cochin International Airport where the special IAF aircraft carrying the mortal remains of 45 Indian victims in the fire incident in Kuwait will reach shortly.
• Kuwait Fire: Preparations Underway at Kochi Airport to Receive Bodies of Victims

An uneasy silence hung over the import cargo terminal of the airport here on Friday morning as authorities made arrangements to receive the bodies of 31 Indians who lost their lives in a tragic building fire in Kuwait two days ago. Ambulances were stationed at the terminal to carry the victims' bodies to their homes. The special flight carrying the bodies of 23 Keralites, seven Tamil Nadu natives, and one Karnataka resident is expected to reach the Cochin International Airport around 10.30 am, Deputy Inspector General, Ernakulam Range, Putta Vimaladitya told the media.

• IAF Aircraft Carrying Mortal Remains of 45 Indian Victims en route Kerala
  A special IAF aircraft carrying the mortal remains of 45 Indian victims in the fire incident in Kuwait has taken off for Kochi. MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh, who coordinated with Kuwaiti authorities to ensure swift repatriation, is onboard the aircraft, Indian Embassy in Kuwait said.
   

• One More Indian Succumbs at Kuwait Hospital, Death Toll Rises to 50
• Kerala Minister Denied Permission to Visit Kuwait for Fire Relief Efforts

Kerala Health Minister Veena George has claimed she was denied permission by the Union Government to travel to Kuwait. The purpose of the visit was to coordinate relief efforts for Keralites affected by a tragic fire incident in the Gulf nation, she said. "What we just sought from the central government was the permission to travel to Kuwait to stand with our people affected by the tragedy and coordinate activities there. That permission is denied," George told reporters on Thursday night.
 

• Chief Minister of Kerala to Receive Bodies of Deceased at Kochi Airport on Friday Morning

Other ministers will also be present besides the CM when the bodies of the Indians will be flown to the airport by Air Force’s C-130J Hercules Aircraft. As many as 45 out of 49 people who lost their lives in the tragic fire were Indians with 23 people reported to be from Kerala.

• Kuwait Fire: India Sending C-130J Aircraft to Bring back Mortal Remains of Indians

India on Thursday night is sending a military transport aircraft to Kuwait to bring back mortal remains of over 40 Indians killed in a devastating fire in a building housing foreign workers in southern Kuwait.

Kuwaiti authorities said they identified bodies of 45 Indians and three Filipino nationals killed in the fire. At least 49 migrant workers were killed and 50 others injured in the blaze.

Officials in Delhi said the C-130J transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force will bring back bodies on Friday and it will first land in Kochi as most of the deceased Indians are from Kerala.

The aircraft is then expected to reach Delhi as some of the Indians killed are from a few north Indian states, they said.

Kuwaiti authorities have already conducted DNA tests on the bodies as part of the identification process.

• Kuwait's FM Yahya Assures Full Support to Victims 

As the probe is underway in the Kuwait fire tragedy, Kuwait's Foreign Minister Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya assured full support to Indians affected in the accident. 

• MoS Kirti Reaches Kuwait, Meets Victims

Kirti V Singh later visited MoS Mubarak Al Kabeer hospital in Kuwait where 7 injured Indians are admitted. The MoS ascertained their well-being & assured them of all support from GoI.

"MoS @KVSinghMPGonda visited Mubarak Al Kabeer hospital in Kuwait where 7 injured Indians are admitted. MoS ascertained their well being & assured them of all support from GoI. He also appreciated hospital authorities, doctors and nurses for taking good care of the Indians," the Indian Embassy in Kuwait said on X.  

On Thursday afternoon,  Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh reached Kuwait to oversee the assistance to those injured in the massive fire tragedy.

"On the directions of Hon'ble Prime Minister @narendramodi, MoS@KVSinghMPGonda arrives in Kuwait to oversee assistance to those injured in fire tragedy & coordinate with local authorities for early repatriation of mortal remains of those who have died in this unfortunate incident," the Embassy of India in Kuwait posted on X. 
 

• BSP Supremo Mayawati Condoles Loss of Lives

On Thursday, June 13, BSP supremo Mayawati condoled the death of Indians in the fire incident and asked the Centre to extend all help to their families.

"The death of 41 Indians in Kuwait fire accident is very sad. Deep condolences to the families of those who died and wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured. Central Government should provide full help to their families," the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said in a post on X.

• IAF Aircraft on Standby to Bring Back Mortal Remains

As Kuwaiti authorities are conducting DNA tests on the bodies of those killed in the fire incident in the Mangaf area, an IAF aircraft is on standby to bring back the mortal remains of Indians killed in the incident, officials said on Thursday.

• Five Tamils Dead in Fire Tragedy: Tamil Nadu Minster Masthan

Tamil Nadu Minister Gingee KS Masthan said, "It is learnt that five Tamils are dead in Kuwait fire incident," PTI reported quoting Tamil associations. 

• Kerala Health Minister Veena Gorge to Leave For Kuwwait

Kerala Health Minister Veena George will leave for Kuwait to coordinate the treatment of injured and return of deceased bodies, the department said in a statement. 

• Kerala Govt Announces Financial Assistance of Rs 5 Lakh

Amid the death of 19 Keralites in the Kuwait apartment fire, the Kerala government has announced to provide financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased. The decision was taken during an emergency Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the morning, a statement issued by his office said.

• Kerala Govt Convenes Emergency Cabinet Meeting

Given the fatalities of Keralites in the Kuwait fire tragedy, an emergency cabinet meeting convened by the Kerala government is underway, which began at 10 am today. The meeting will discuss the repatriation of bodies and whether any ministers need to go to Kuwait to coordinate relief efforts. The meeting is chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his office said in a statement. 

• '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 Varghese
• Thomas Joseph
• Praveen Madhav Singh
• Shameer
• Luke
• Kelu Ponmaleri
• Stephen Abraham Sabu
• Anil Giri
• Saju Varghese
• Muralidharan P.V
• Vishwas Krishnan
• Arun Babu
• Sajan George
• Ranjith  Kundatukkam
• Akash Sasidharan Nair
• Denny 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.