Tragedy Strikes Kochi: Arrival of Kuwait Fire Victims' Remains
Kochi: The mortal remains of 31 Indians, including 23 Malayalees, who lost their lives in the Kuwait fire tragedy, were received at Kochi's international airport on Friday. Central and state ministers, along with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, were among those who paid their respects to the departed souls.
An Indian
Air Force (IAF) flight, transporting the mortal remains of 45 Indians who
perished in the incident, touched down at the international airport at around
10:30 am.
Among the 45
mortal remains brought by the IAF C30J aircraft, 31 were received at Kochi
airport. The bodies comprised 23 individuals from Kerala, 7 from Tamil Nadu,
and one from Karnataka, according to officials.
Vijayan
conveyed condolences, highlighting expatriates' significance in Kerala and
labeling the incident a "huge disaster" for both the nation and expat
community. He praised Kuwaiti and Indian governments' prompt response.
Stressing families' ongoing pain, he emphasized preventive measures to prevent
future tragedies. Vijayan hoped for adequate compensation from Kuwait and urged
India to hasten the process.
Minister of
State for Tourism and Petroleum, Suresh Gopi, present at the airport, lamented
the painful tragedy and lauded the hard work of 'pravasis' abroad,
acknowledging their significant contributions.
Vijayan and
Gopi paid their respects, laying wreaths and red roses on the coffins. Union
MoS for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh and Tamil Nadu Minister for
Minorities Welfare Gingee K S Masthan also offered condolences. A police guard
of honor was given. All customs, immigration, and health procedures were done
at Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL). The remaining 14 bodies were
flown to Delhi on the same aircraft afterward, confirmed by CIAL.