Kuwait fire tragedy: Flight carrying mortal remains of victims to land shortly in Kochi

Kochi: The aircraft carrying the mortal remains of the victims of the Mangaf fire tragedy is scheduled to land at Kochi airport at 10:30 am. It should be noted that the aircraft was originally scheduled to arrive in Kochi by 8:45 am. However, Revenue Minister K. Rajan pointed out that the aircraft departed from Kuwait at 06:20 am Indian time instead of the scheduled 01:20 am. Therefore, the aircraft is expected to land in Kochi only after 10:00 am.

It is learnt that the bodies will not be kept at the airport for long for public homage as planned, and arrangements have been made to transport them to their native places as soon as possible.

However, Kerala state government officials will pay their respects to the deceased at the airport itself. Special flights and ambulances have been put on standby to transport the bodies to their families. 

Initially, it was decided to bring the bodies to Delhi. But since 24 victims are natives of Kerala, the Chief Secretary of the state requested the Ministry of External Affairs to bring the bodies to Kochi first and then distribute them to various places accordingly.

Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh is travelling on the aircraft. Pinarayi Vijayan will be among the officials to receive the mortal remains at Kochi airport.

As of now, the total death toll in the fire tragedy stands at 50. Forty-five Indians, including 24 Malayalis, lost their lives in the fire that broke out at the residential building housing NBTC employees in Kuwait early on Wednesday morning.