Indian Air Force Plane Brings Home Bodies of 45 Indians Killed in Kuwait Fire

A special Indian Air Force aircraft has taken off from Kuwait, carrying the bodies of 45 Indians who died in a massive fire. The plane will land in Kochi before heading to Delhi, with junior Foreign Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh also onboard.

A special Indian Air Force aircraft has taken off from Kuwait, carrying the mortal remains of 45 Indian workers who perished in a massive fire two days ago. The plane is expected to land in Kochi, Kerala around 11 am, and then proceed to Delhi. Kirti Vardhan Singh, Gonda MP and newly appointed junior minister in the foreign ministry, is also on the flight. Singh coordinated with Kuwaiti authorities to ensure the swift repatriation of the bodies.

The Indian embassy in Kuwait confirmed the departure, stating, "A special IAF aircraft carrying mortal remains of 45 Indian victims in the fire incident in Kuwait has taken off for Kochi. MoS @KVSinghMPGonda, who coordinated with Kuwaiti authorities ensuring swift repatriation, is onboard the aircraft."

The incident occurred in Mangaf city, where a massive fire broke out in a six-storied building on Wednesday, killing at least 48 people. Among the 176 Indian workers living in the facility, 45 died, 33 were hospitalized, and the rest were reported safe. The Indian embassy provided a detailed breakdown of the victims, noting that they included individuals from various states in India, with the highest number of victims being from Kerala.

Local authorities in Kuwait are investigating the cause of the fire and how more than 160 people were staying in the building. The bodies were severely charred, necessitating DNA testing to confirm identities. Among the deceased, 45 were Indians and three were Filipino nationals, as reported by Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah, Kuwait's First Deputy Prime Minister.

Upon reaching Kuwait, Kirti Vardhan Singh visited five hospitals where injured Indian workers are being treated. Hospital authorities informed that the injured will be discharged progressively based on their recovery.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reviewed the incident and announced a compensation of ₹2 lakh for the families of those who died. The Kuwaiti administration has also pledged full support and assistance for the early repatriation of the bodies.

Ambulances are on standby at Cochin International Airport to handle the arrival of the bodies. The repatriation process has been a coordinated effort between Indian and Kuwaiti authorities, showcasing strong diplomatic cooperation during a tragic event.