Kuwait building fire: Modi holds high-level meet, announces Rs 2 lakh each for kin of deceased

Over 40 Indians among 49 killed in the devastating fire

kuwait-fire-modi-review

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting to review the fire accident in Kuwait, in which 49 people including 40 Indians, lost their lives. The meeting was held at the prime minister’s official residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg.

“The prime minister expressed his deep sorrow at the unfortunate incident and extended condolences to the families of the deceased. He wished speedy recovery of those injured,” said an official statement.

Modi announced an ex- gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh to the families of the deceased India nationals from the Prime Minister Relief Fund. He said the the government would provide all possible assistance to the victims of the fire tragedy.

Minister of state for external affairs Kirtivardhan Singh will immediately travel to Kuwait to oversee the relief measures and facilitate expeditious repatriation of the mortal remains.

The meeting was attended by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, MoS External Affairs Kirtivardhan Singh, Principal Secretary to PM Pramod Kumar Mishra, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and other senior officials.

The fire broke out in a building housing around 195 migrant workers in southern Kuwait's Mangaf area. Over 50 people have suffered injuries.

The fire in Al-Mangaf building was reported to authorities in Al-Ahmadi governorate at 4.30 am and most of the deaths were due to smoke inhalation, Kuwaiti media reported.

According to officials, most of the Indian victims are from Kerala.

Out of the 35 placed under intensive care, the condition of seven is understood to be critical. 

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