KOCHI, June 14, 2024 (TBINN)
The mortal remains of 31 Indians, including 23 Malayalees, who died in Kuwait’s fire tragedy were received at the international airport here today by Central and state ministers, including Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who paid tributes to the deceased.
An Indian Air Force (I.A.F.) flight carrying the mortal remains of 45 Indians who died in the tragic fire incident at Kuwait two days ago, landed at international airport here at around 10.30 A.M.
Of the 45 mortal remains carried by I.A.F. C130J Aircraft, 31 were received at the airport here.
The 31 bodies include 23 Keralites, 7 Tamilians and one person from Karnataka, officials said.
Vijayan, speaking to reporters at the airport, said that ‘pravasis’ (expatriates) were the lifeline of Kerala and the deaths of so many Indian expatriates in the fire was a “huge disaster for the country”.
Chief Minister also said that the incident was also a huge disaster for the expatriate community.
“It is an unending loss for the families of deceased. Kuwaiti Government has taken strong and effective action following the incident and the Indian Government intervened in a good way.
“Measures need to be taken to prevent a recurrence of such an incident and it is hoped that the Kuwait Government will take requisite action for the same,” Kerala’s C.M. said.
Chief Minister if Kerala also expressed hope that Kuwait Government would take the initiative to provide sufficient compensation to the families of victims.
“For this, the Indian Government should get in touch with the government in Kuwait to expedite the process as those who died there had gone there to earn a livelihood. Any amount of help to the bereaved families may not be enough,” he said.
Union Minister of State for Tourism and Petroleum Suresh Gopi, who was at the airport to receive the mortal remains, said that ‘pravasis’ are held in high regard by the state and Centre for the hard work they put in while working abroad. “The tragedy is very painful,” he said.
Pinarayi paid tribute to the deceased by placing wreaths on their coffins, while Gopi laid Red Roses to pay his last respects.
Union MoS for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, who accompanied the mortal remains on the I.A.F. flight and Tamil Nadu Minister for Minorities Welfare and Non-Resident Tamils Welfare Gingee K.S. Masthan also paid tributes to the deceased at Cochin Airport.
A guard of honour was given by the police to the deceased.
The Customs, Immigration and Airport Health Office related process for 45 bodies was done at C.I.A.L. itself, the airport authorities informed.
After 31 bodies were received at the airport, remaining 14 were sent to Delhi in the same aircraft as a domestic flight, C.I.A.L. said.
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