Kuwait fire tragedy: IAF aircraft carrying mortal remains of 45 Indians lands at Cochin airport

The special Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft carrying mortal remains of 45 Indian victims, who lost their lives in a tragic fire incident in Kuwait, landed at Cochin airport on Friday. The aircraft took off from Kuwait early Friday. Minister of State for External Affairs of India, Kirti Vardhan Singh, is onboard as well.

"A special IAF aircraft carrying the mortal remains of 45 Indian victims of the fire incident in Kuwait has taken off for Kochi," the Indian Embassy wrote on X.

"MoS @KVSinghMPGonda, who coordinated with Kuwaiti authorities to ensure swift repatriation, is onboard the aircraft," it added.


Meanwhile, authorities made arrangements to receive the bodies of the victims. Ambulances were stationed at the terminal to carry the victims' bodies to their homes. A Kerala Police pilot vehicle will be deputed to accompany all ambulances carrying the bodies, including those going to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, Vimaladitya said.


Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and ministers K Rajan, P Rajeeve and Veena George will receive the bodies at the airport. Authorities have arranged special podiums to keep the bodies where the ministers and others will pay their respects.

Twenty-three residents of Kerala were among the 45 Indians who died in the fire incident on Wednesday.

The incident has sent shockwaves through communities in both Kuwait and India.

A detailed breakdown of the victims reveals the extent of the devastation: 7 from Tamil Nadu, 3 from Andhra Pradesh, and 1 each from Bihar, Odisha, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Haryana, Punjab, and West Bengal, in addition to the 23 from Kerala.

Kuwaiti authorities are working tirelessly to investigate the cause of the fire and provide support to the affected families. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his deepest condolences and assured all possible assistance to those impacted by the tragedy.

On June 13, Minister of State for External Affairs of India, Kirti Vardhan Singh, visited hospitals in Kuwait, where he interacted with Indian nationals receiving treatment following the tragic fire incident in Mangaf.

His visits underscored India's commitment to ensuring the well-being of its citizens abroad and highlighted the importance of international cooperation during times of crisis.

With Inputs from Agencies