Indian Air Force repatriates bodies of workers killed in Kuwait fire

An Indian Air Force flight has got back the bodies of 45 workers who were killed in a fire in Kuwait.
An Indian Air Force flight has got back the bodies of 45 workers who were killed in a fire in Kuwait.

An Indian Air Force flight has got back the bodies of 45 workers who were killed in a fire in Kuwait.

Tragic Fire Incident

An Indian Air Force flight has repatriated the bodies of 45 Indian workers who perished in a devastating fire in Kuwait. The blaze erupted on Wednesday in a residential building in Mangaf city, which housed 176 Indian workers.

Kuwaiti authorities reported that 50 people died in the incident, including 45 Indians and three Filipinos, with two bodies yet to be identified. Additionally, dozens of workers, predominantly Indian, sustained injuries.

Living Conditions of Migrant Workers

Two-thirds of Kuwait’s population comprises foreign workers, essential to the country’s construction and domestic sectors.

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Human rights organizations have frequently highlighted the substandard living conditions faced by these workers. The incident has once again brought these issues to the forefront.

Identification and Repatriation

Indian minister Kirti Vardhan Singh, who traveled to Kuwait following the tragedy, stated that DNA tests were conducted to identify the victims.

The deceased workers hailed from various states, with 23 from Kerala, seven from Tamil Nadu, three each from Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, two from Odisha, and one each from Bihar, Punjab, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Haryana.

A special Air Force flight was arranged by the Indian government to bring back the bodies.

The flight first landed in Kochi, Kerala, where the remains of workers from southern states were handed over to local authorities. It then continued to Delhi. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, along with other state officials, was present at the airport to receive the bodies and pay respects.

Official Responses and Compensation

“This is a huge tragedy for our country. Kerala’s migrant workers are the lifeblood of our state.

The fire in Kuwait is one of the biggest tragedies to affect our community,” Mr. Vijayan remarked. Both state and federal governments have announced compensation for the bereaved families.

Investigation and Accountability

In Kuwait, authorities have launched an inspection of health and safety conditions in buildings housing foreign workers.

According to the Arab Times, an investigation revealed that the fire originated from an electrical short circuit in the security guard’s room on the ground floor of the six-story building.

Inflammable materials used as partitions between rooms and apartments exacerbated the situation, as stated by a senior fire department official.

The Kuwaiti Public Prosecution has detained a citizen and several expatriates on charges of manslaughter and negligence for failing to implement fire safety measures.

Following the incident, Deputy Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf al-Sabah criticized property owners for their greed and blamed violations of building standards for the tragedy.

Gary Monroe

Gary Monroe is a seasoned contributor to the Los Angeles Business Magazine, where he offers insightful analysis on local business trends and economic developments. With a focus on Los Angeles' dynamic commercial landscape, Gary's articles provide valuable perspectives for entrepreneurs and business professionals in the city.

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