NewsGate Press Network

A major fire tragedy in Kuwait has killed 40 Indian labourers.

The incident took place in the southern part of Kuwait early on Wednesday morning (about 8.30 IST)  in a multi storeyed residential block that was mostly occupied by Indian workers.

Preliminary report suggested that fire started from a kitchen on the ground floor and soon spread to the upper floors.

Most deaths were reported due to smoke inhalation.

Local Kuwaiti authorities are saying in all 49 were killed.

The Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high level meeting late on Wednesday night.

Prime Minister directed that Government of India should extend all possible assistance. MOS External Affairs should immediately travel to Kuwait to oversee the relief measures and facilitate expeditious repatriation of the mortal remains.

Prime Minister announced ex- gratia relief of Rupees 2 lakh to the families of the deceased India nationals from Prime Minister Relief Fund.

The Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar, the Minister of State for External Affairs Kirtivardhan Singh, Principal Secretary to PM Pramod Kumar Mishra, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra and other senior officials were also present in the meeting.

Majority of the deceased Indian are from Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and north Indian states.

In a statement issued late on Wednesday nigh the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that ‘those injured are presently admitted in 5 government hospitals (Adan, Jaber, Farwaniya, Mubarak Al Kabeer and Jahra hospitals) in Kuwait and receiving proper medical care and attention. According to hospital authorities, most of the admitted patients are stable.

Following the incident, Ambassador of India in Kuwait, Adarsh Swaika, immediately visited the location of the incident and also the hospitals to ascertain the welfare of the Indian nationals.

The Indian Embassy has established a helpline +965-65505246 (WhatsApp and regular call) for family members to get in touch. Regular updates are being provided through the helpline, the MEA statement added.