Kuwait Fire Tragedy: 24 Keralites Dead, Bodies Return Home Tonight

The death toll of Keralites in the tragic fire incident in Kuwait has risen to 24, with the bodies expected to return to Kerala tonight. The Department of Non-Resident Keralites’ Affairs (NORKA) is coordinating the repatriation process.

In a devastating fire tragedy in Kuwait, the number of Keralites who lost their lives has increased to 24. The Department of Non-Resident Keralites’ Affairs (NORKA) confirmed on Thursday that the bodies of the deceased will be repatriated to Kerala by tonight. The post-mortem examinations of the identified bodies have been completed.

Ajith Kolasseri, the acting Chief Executive Officer of NORKA Roots, provided an update on the tragedy. He stated that the death toll among Keralites, initially reported as 12 in the morning and later revised to 19, has now reached 24 based on information from NORKA’s help desk in Kuwait.

Seven Keralites who sustained serious injuries are receiving treatment in the Intensive Care Units (ICUs) of various hospitals in Kuwait. Kolasseri noted that many of the injured have been discharged from hospitals, but the identities and details of the deceased will only be confirmed after verification by the External Affairs Ministry.

NORKA’s help desk is working closely with the Indian Embassy and the mortuary departments of Kuwaiti hospitals to expedite the paperwork for repatriation. This coordinated effort aims to ensure that the bodies of the victims are returned to their families in Kerala promptly.

The fire, which occurred in a seven-storey building in Mangaf, Ahmadi Governorate, Kuwait, resulted in the deaths of 49 foreign workers, including 42 Indians, and left 50 others injured. The blaze erupted around 4 am on Wednesday, originating in the kitchen while most of the 195 migrant workers were asleep. Thick black smoke from the fire caused many victims to suffocate, according to officials from the Kuwait Interior Ministry and the fire department.

In response to the tragedy, the Kuwaiti government has offered to airlift the mortal remains to India. The Interior Minister of Kuwait announced that the Emir of Kuwait has instructed arrangements for one or two planes to transport the bodies back home.

Established in 1996 by the state government, NORKA aims to address the grievances of non-resident Keralites both in India and abroad, fostering a sustainable partnership with the diaspora. The organization is playing a crucial role in coordinating the repatriation efforts and supporting the affected families during this difficult time.