At least 11 people from Kerala are among those who were killed in a massive fire that broke out in a residential building in Kuwait in the early hours of Wednesday. The total number of people who have been reported dead due to the fire is 49 as the blaze erupted on a lower floor of the residential apartment in the Mangaf area in Kuwait's southern Ahmadi Governate, and spread rapidly through the building.
As many as 35 people have been placed under intensive care unit, reported Onmanorama, adding that the condition of seven is understood to be critical while at least five are on ventilator support.
Apart from the 11 Malayalis killed, other deceased are from Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh, the report added.
The identities of nine Keralites who died in the accident have been confirmed as: Akash S Nair (23), Umarudheen Shameer (33), Stefin Abraham Sabu (29), Rengith K R (33), Kelu Ponmaleri (55), P V Muraleedharan, Sajan George, Lukose (48), and Saju Varghese (56). The deceased are natives of Pandalam, Kollam Pooyappally, Kasaragod, and Pathanamthitta among other places, as per the report.
The names of other Indians who were killed in the fire are Thomas Joseph, Praveen Madhav, Bhoonath Richard Roy Anand, Anil Giri, Muhammad Shareef, Dwarikesh Patnaik, Viswas Krishnan, Arun Babu, Raymond, Jesus Lopez and Denny Baby Karunakaran, as per the Onmanorama report.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives and said that the Indian Embassy in Kuwait is closely monitoring the situation and working with the authorities there to assist the affected
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said he was "deeply shocked" by the news of the killing of several Indians in the accident and said that the Ambassador has gone to the camp. "Deepest condolences to the families of those who tragically lost their lives. Wish early and full recovery to those who have been injured. Our Embassy will render fullest assistance...," said the foreign minister in a post on X.