The visit of Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh to Kuwait 13 June 2024

The visit of Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh to Kuwait 13 June 2024

On the directions of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh (MoS) arrived in Kuwait in the forenoon of 13 June 2024 to coordinate with the Government of Kuwait to facilitate early repatriation of mortal remains of the deceased as well as ensure the well-being of those injured in the tragic fire-incident in a Labour housing facility in Mangaf area of Kuwait on 12 June 2024. Out of the 176 Indian workers in the housing facility, presently, 33 are in various hospitals, 45 have succumbed to fatalities and the rest are reportedly safe.

2. Immediately upon his arrival at Kuwait, MoS visited 5 hospitals (Adan, Mubarak Al-Kabeer, Jaber, Farwaniya and Jahra), where injured Indians are being treated and interacted with all of them. According to hospital authorities, all patients are reportedly safe and will be discharged progressively depending upon their medical condition.

3. MoS called on First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence & Interior,  H.E. Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah. DPM conveyed the condolences on behalf of HH the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and assured full support and assistance for early repatriation of mortal remains of deceased and proper medical care and attention to all those who are hospitalised. MoS also called on the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait H.E. Abdullah Ali Al-Yahya and Health Minister of Kuwait H.E Dr Ahmad Abdelwahab Ahmad Al-Awadi today, both of whom also assured full support of the Government of Kuwait.

4. To ensure immediate repatriation of mortal remains of the deceased, Government of India is arranging transportation of mortal remains of 45 Indians by a special Indian Airforce Flight in the late evening of 13 June.The flight is expected to reach Kochi in the morning of 14 June and will then immediately proceed to Delhi. The deceased are from Kerala (23), Tamil Nadu (7), Andhra Pradesh (3), UP (3), Odisha (2), Bihar, Punjab, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Jharkhand and Haryana (1 each). The mortal remains would be handed over to concerned State Government representatives in Kochi and Delhi.

5. Our Embassy in Kuwait has been in constant touch with local authorities, ensuring all necessary assistance to those injured and those who have been safely evacuated from the accident-site. The Embassy has been operating a dedicated 24 X 7 helpline +965-65505246 (whatsapp and regular call) for family members of the deceased as well as those injured. Regular updates are being provided through the helpline. We express our deepest condolences to the bereaved families.