Kuwait Mangaf Fire Tragedy: Who Were The Kerala Natives?

A devastating fire engulfed a building housing migrant workers in Kuwait's southern Mangaf area at dawn on Wednesday, resulting in the tragic deaths of around 42 Indians, including at least five from Kerala.

The incident also left over 50 people injured. The building housed approximately 195 migrant workers, making this one of the most catastrophic fires in Kuwait's history.

Kuwait Fire Tragedy

The fire broke out in a labour housing facility in the Al-Mangaf building, claiming the lives of 49 individuals. Among the deceased, 42 have been identified as Indian nationals, with the remaining fatalities including Pakistani, Filipino, Egyptian, and Nepali nationals, as reported by Hindustan Times. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed the unfortunate incident in a statement released late Wednesday night.

"In an unfortunate and tragic fire incident earlier today in a labour housing facility in the Mangaf area of Kuwait, around 40 Indians are understood to have died and over 50 injured," stated the Ministry.

The Impact and Response

This incident is now marked as the worst building fire in Kuwait's history. The fire has sparked demands for stringent action against landlords and company owners who compromise safety standards to accommodate a large number of foreign labourers at reduced costs. The Kuwait Times newspaper highlighted the urgency for reforms to ensure safer living conditions for migrant workers.

Who were the Kerala natives?

Vadakkottuvilayil Lukose

Among the victims was Vadakkottuvilayil Lukose, a 48-year-old supervisor with the NBTC Group, a company managed by KG Abraham, a businessman from Kerala. Vadakkottuvilayil Lukose had been residing in Kuwait for the last 18 years and hailed from Adichanalloor panchayat in Kollam, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Shameer Umarudheen

Another victim, Shameer Umarudheen from Vayyankara in Kerala, worked as a heavy vehicle driver in Kuwait. Reports from Onmanorama, citing his relatives, suggest that Shameer might have jumped from the flat in a panic attempt to escape the flames. Shameer was the second son of Umarudheen and Safeena and had married Surumi two years ago. He had last contacted his family in Kerala four days before the incident and had visited home nine months prior, as per media reports.

Kelu Ponmaleri

The fire also claimed the life of Kelu Ponmaleri, a resident of Thrikaripur town in Kasaragod, who worked as a production engineer with the NBTC Group. He is survived by his wife, KN Mani, who works as a Panchayat employee, and their two sons.

Ranjith

Ranjith, a 34-year-old native of Kasaragod, who had been working in Kuwait for the past 10 years, also lost his life in the tragic incident.

Government Response and Repatriation Efforts

Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh has departed for Kuwait to oversee the situation and provide support. Prior to his departure, Singh mentioned that many of the bodies had been charred beyond recognition, complicating the identification process. "The situation will be clearer once we arrive there," Singh remarked.

Speaking to ANI at Delhi Airport, he added, "We had a meeting last evening with the Prime Minister, which provided the latest updates on this very sad tragedy. Further details will emerge once we reach the scene." Regarding the repatriation of the victims' remains, Singh explained, "Many of the victims are burn victims, with some bodies charred beyond recognition. Therefore, DNA tests are being conducted to confirm identities."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Statement

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with the Ministry of External Affairs team and other officials on Wednesday evening to discuss the fire incident. Modi expressed profound sorrow over the tragedy, extending his condolences to the families and friends of the victims. He emphasized the government's commitment to providing necessary support and assistance during this difficult time.

Conclusion

The fire in Kuwait's Mangaf area serves as a grim reminder of the need for stringent safety measures in labor housing facilities to prevent such tragedies. The Indian government, along with local authorities, is working tirelessly to support the affected families and ensure that the victims receive the respect and dignity they deserve in the aftermath of this catastrophe.

The nation mourns the loss of its citizens and stands in solidarity with the bereaved families, praying for the swift recovery of those injured in this horrific incident.