Kerala CM urges Kuwait govt to take necessary action to prevent accidents, bats for compensation

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, while addressing media at the Kochi airport here on Friday, mourned the loss of lives in the Kuwait fire tragedy.

“It was a huge tragedy for our country... Expatriates are considered the lifeline of Kerala. It is one of the biggest tragedies that has occurred for our expats... It brings unending misery for families who had high hopes for their loved ones abroad.”

He highlighted the proactive intervention of the Kuwaiti and Indian governments and said that it is expected the authorities concerned will take proper follow-up action on the matter.

Vijayan specifically urged the Kuwait administration to take necessary actions to curb accidents of this kind and expressed hope that authorities will appropriately compensate the victims.

His remarks came while he was at the airport to receive the special Air Force aircraft carrying the mortal remains of 45 Indians who died in a devastating fire in Kuwait on 12 June. The plane landed at Kochi airport.

On State Health Minister Veena George not given permission to visit Kuwait, the Chief Minister said, "There have been some wrong approaches, but now is not the time for that controversy."

Speaking to ANI, Kerala Minister P Rajeev said that special ambulances have been arranged for each deceased and a police pilot has also been provided."Out of 45 deceased, the bodies of the residents of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka will be brought here," the minister said.

The mortal remains of 31 victims brought to Kerala, included 23 from Kerala, seven from Tamil Nadu, and one from Karnataka.

State Minister K Rajan said, "We will make sure that ambulances pass without any difficulties. We have arranged green channels. Name boards have been stamped on the tables and the ambulances. Our mission is to make the mortal remains reach the dear ones within no time. It's a tragic incident."

Union Minister Suresh Gopi referred to the tragedy as "voluminous and impactful" and said that it is a thud on the 'pravaasi' (Overseas Indians) community, which helped the economic situation in Kerala.

"The state and the country have very high regard for the 'pravaasi' community and it is very painful. India will play its role very well because we initiated action as soon as the news was received. The GoI will take appropriate actions and decisions," the Union Minister told reporters on Friday.

"We have our contingent working to look after people in all health conditions. They will be brought back to India and their rehabilitation will also be taken care of. It's no graciousness, it is the duty of the GoI and the state government also," he added.

Union Minister of State Singh VK Singh, who rushed to Kuwait on Thursday, accompanied the mortal remains of the deceased on the Air India flight.

Kerala Ministers Veena George and Roshi Augustin were also present at the airport to receive the mortal remains.

Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan, Union Minister Suresh Gopi, Congress MP Hibi Eden, BJP state president K Surendran and former Union Minister V Muraleedharan among others had also arrived ahead of the flight's landing.

At least 45 Indians died in the huge fire that broke out in a labour accommodation in Kuwait's Mangaf on June 12. This includes 23 from Kerala, seven from Tamil Nadu, three from Andhra Pradesh, and one each from Bihar, Odisha, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Haryana, Punjab and West Bengal. 

With ANI inputs