Kuala Lumpur: The Kuwait fire tragedy that killed at least 45 Indians, including 23 from Kerala and seven from Tamil Nadu, has left both Indian states in mourning.
Based on the information provided by the Kuwaiti authorities, the government of Kerala officially released the list of victims on Thursday.
Victims from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka
According to this list, there were also three victims from Andhra Pradesh and one from Karnataka. Earlier, an official from the Department of Non-Resident Keralites’ Affairs (NORKA) unofficially said that, according to information provided by its help desk in Kuwait, 24 Malayalees had died in the fire. Of these, 22 have been identified, he said, and added that 12 others from the state were seriously injured.
The list also included three victims from Andhra Pradesh and one from Karnataka. Earlier, an official from the Department of Non-Resident Keralites’ Affairs (NORKA) unofficially said that 24 Malayalees died in the fire, according to information from its helpline in Kuwait. He said 22 of them have been identified, while another 12 nationals from the state received serious injuries.
Information from Tamil Nadu Authorities
Earlier, Tamil Nadu Minister for Minorities Welfare and Non-Resident Tamils Welfare Gingee K S Masthan, citing information from Tamil associations based abroad, told reporters that five people from the state had been killed.
Initial Confusion and Confirmation
Initially, the lack of confirmation from the government and the company where the victims worked left the families facing a dilemma. But they quickly learned of the deaths from authorities, friends and family, and the media.
Emergency Relief Measures by Kerala Government
As those left behind to pick up the pieces of their suddenly shattered lives wonder what to do next, the Kerala government held an emergency cabinet meeting on Thursday to provide some relief to the affected families.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan chaired the cabinet meeting, where it was decided that financial assistance of Rs 500,000 will be provided to families in the state whose relatives died in the fire and Rs 100,000 to those injured.
Cause of the Fire
Kuwaiti media reported that most of the deaths were due to smoke inhalation, adding that the fire broke out in a kitchen.
Construction company NBTC Group rented the building to house more than 195 workers, mostly Indians from Kerala, Tamil Nadu and northern states, Kuwaiti media reported.
