In response to the tragic Kuwait building fire that claimed the lives of several Indian nationals, Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened an urgent high-level meeting at his residence on Wednesday. The incident occurred in a six-storey building in Mangaf, southern Kuwait, which reportedly housed around 195 workers, primarily from Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
During the meeting, PM Modi expressed profound sorrow over the incident and extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. He wished a speedy recovery for the injured and announced ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased Indian nationals from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. The meeting was attended by key officials, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirtivardhan Singh, Principal Secretary to the PM Pramod Kumar Mishra, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra.
#WATCH | Delhi: On returning from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, PM Narendra Modi held a meeting to review the situation relating to the fire incident in Kuwait. pic.twitter.com/lL0xdnX94s
— ANI (@ANI) June 12, 2024
Following the news of the fire, PM Modi directed MoS External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh to immediately travel to Kuwait to oversee assistance efforts and coordinate with local authorities for the early repatriation of the mortal remains of those who perished. The fire, which broke out in the kitchen of a lower floor, rapidly spread through the building, trapping many inside. Eyewitnesses reported seeing people jump from the fifth floor in desperate attempts to escape, with many fatalities resulting from smoke inhalation.
Prime Minister Modi took to social media to extend his condolences and assure support for the affected families. “The fire mishap in Kuwait City is saddening. My thoughts are with all those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. The Indian Embassy in Kuwait is closely monitoring the situation and working with the authorities there to assist the affected,” he stated on X (formerly Twitter).
The building, owned by Malayali businessman KG Abraham’s NBTC group, became the scene of a devastating tragedy. As the blaze engulfed the structure, the loss of life and the injuries sustained highlighted the critical need for swift action and support for those impacted by the disaster.
The Indian government’s swift response and the PM’s directives underline India’s commitment to safeguarding its citizens abroad and providing necessary support in Kuwait building Fire.