Mamata condoles death of 18 Indians in Sudan

Kolkata, Dec 04: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday expressed her grief over the death of 18 Indians in an LPG tanker explosion in Sudan.

Extending her condolences to the families of those killed in the mishap, Mamata urged Indians working in different corners of the globe to "stay safe".

"Saddened at the demise of 18 Indians in LPG tanker blast in Sudan. My condolences to the bereaved families. Our country's workers are placed in different parts of the world and face various risks. May all stay safe," WB CM tweeted.

According to the report, victims are from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Tamil Nadu.

Foreign Minister S Jaishankar also expressed his grief in a tweet saying, "Have just received the tragic news of a major blast in a ceramic factory "Saloomi" in the Bahri area of the capital Khartoum in Sudan. Deeply grieved to learn that some Indian workers have lost their lives while some others have been seriously injured."

"The Embassy representative has rushed to the site. A 24-hour emergency hotline +249-921917471 has been set up by @EoI_Khartoum [India in Sudan]. Embassy is also putting out updates on social media. Our prayers are with the workers and their families," S Jaishankar also tweeted.

At least 18 Indian workers were killed and over 130 others injured on Tuesday in an LPG tanker blast at a ceramic factory in Sudan, the Indian mission there said.

Sixteen Indians went missing after the incident that happened at Seela Ceramic Factory in Bahri area of the Sudanese capital Khartoum.