June 13th 2024.
On Thursday, the Foreign Minister of Kuwait, Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya, expressed his condolences and assured full support to the Indians affected by the tragic fire at an apartment complex in the country. The fire, which killed 49 people, including around 40 Indians, has caused immense grief and shock. As a result, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, who is currently in Kuwait to oversee relief efforts and meet with the injured, had a meeting with Al-Yahya.
The Indian Embassy in Kuwait also posted on social media, sharing that Singh had met with Al-Yahya and discussed the tragic incident. The Foreign Minister promised to provide all necessary support, including medical care, repatriation of the deceased, and a thorough investigation into the fire. The Indian government is deeply saddened by the loss of lives and is committed to helping those affected in any way possible.
Singh, during his visit, also met with some of the Indian workers who were injured in the fire. He assured them of full support from the Indian government and promised to do everything possible to help them recover. The fire, which occurred in a seven-storey building housing 196 migrant workers in Mangaf, has left over 50 people injured and 49 dead. The Indian mission in Kuwait posted on social media that Singh, upon the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had arrived in Kuwait and immediately went to Jaber Hospital to check on the well-being of the injured Indians. All six of them are currently safe and receiving proper medical attention.
Singh also visited Mubarak Al Kabeer Hospital, where seven injured Indians were admitted. He spoke with them to ensure their well-being and expressed his appreciation for the hospital staff for taking good care of them. The Kuwaiti authorities are currently conducting DNA tests on the deceased to identify them, and an Indian Air Force aircraft is on standby to bring back the mortal remains of the Indian victims.
Prime Minister Modi, who described the incident as "saddening," held a meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, and other officials to review the situation. He announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh to the families of the deceased from the PM Relief Fund and directed the government to provide all necessary assistance.
Jaishankar also spoke with Al-Yahya on the phone and urged for the early repatriation of the mortal remains of the deceased. He was assured that the incident would be fully investigated, and those responsible would be held accountable. He also emphasized the need for proper medical care for the injured.
The Indian Embassy in Kuwait is continuously coordinating with the local authorities to provide assistance to the injured Indians and extend all possible support. Ambassador Adarsh Swaika visited the location of the incident and the hospitals to check on the welfare of the Indian nationals. The Embassy is receiving full cooperation from the Kuwaiti authorities.
Deputy Premier and Defense and Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Al-Sabah ordered the arrest of the Kuwaiti landlord and the Egyptian guard of the building and warned officials not to release them without his permission. He also announced that a team from the municipality would start inspecting all buildings for safety violations and overcrowding of expat workers.
The public prosecution has launched an investigation into the incident to uncover the cause of the fire. The Kuwait Fire Department has reported that inflammable materials were used as partitions between apartments and rooms, which caused the thick black smoke. Many of the victims were unable to escape due to the stairs being filled with smoke, and the door to the rooftop was locked. The local media has speculated that a gas leak from the building's ground floor may have caused the fire, but there has been no official confirmation yet.
The tragic fire has left the entire country in shock, and the Kuwaiti authorities have praised the state-wide response to the disaster. Our hearts go out to the families of the deceased and the injured, and we hope for a speedy recovery for those affected.
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