Kuwait Fire Tragedy: Mortal Remains of 45 Indian Victims Repatriated to Kerala
A special Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft carrying the mortal remains of 45 Indian victims who perished in the massive fire in Kuwait arrived at Kerala’s Cochin International Airport on June 14. The bodies were flown back on a C-130J transport aircraft sent by the IAF the previous night.
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh accompanied the remains, having coordinated the swift repatriation with Kuwaiti authorities. The aircraft proceeded to Delhi from Kochi, as some of the victims hailed from northern and eastern states.
Among those present at the airport were Kerala BJP President K Surendran, Congress leader and Opposition Leader in the Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan, and Union Minister Suresh Gopi.
Out of the 45 deceased, 23 were from Kerala, with others hailing from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, Punjab, Karnataka, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Jharkhand, and Haryana.
Minister Suresh Gopi expressed his condolences, calling the tragedy “voluminous and impactful,” particularly for the expatriate community that contributes to Kerala’s economy. He emphasized the government’s commitment to support the bereaved families and facilitate the rehabilitation of affected individuals.
The tragedy has left a deep scar on the Indian community in Kuwait and India, and the repatriation of the mortal remains is a significant step towards providing closure to the grieving families. The Indian government has promised to provide all necessary assistance to the affected families and to ensure that the victims are given a dignified farewell.