Editor's Pick | 40 Indians among 49 workers killed in Kuwait inferno

At least 49 migrant workers, including 40 Indian citizens, have died in a deadly fire that devastated a building in Kuwait’s southern district of Al-Mangaf. The fire that broke out in the apartment building located in Kuwait’s Al Ahmadi Governorate early on Wednesday also left more than a dozen injured, who were admitted to nearby hospitals, reported the Kuwait News Agency. Many of the victims hail from Kerala. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed shock over the incident, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed ‘serious concern’ about the living conditions of Indians in the Gulf region. “My thoughts are with all those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. The Indian Embassy in Kuwait is closely monitoring the situation and working with the authorities there to assist the affected,” said Mr. Modi in a message. Mr. Modi held a review meeting on Wednesday evening about the condition of the affected Indians in Kuwait. He deputed Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh to oversee the help being rendered to the injured and to bring back the remains of the Indians who perished in the incident. Before leaving for Kuwait, Mr. Singh said he would be working for “early repatriation of mortal remains” of those who died in the fire incident. The Indian embassy in Kuwait has set up a helpline number (+965-65505246) which can be reached by phone and WhatsApp. The Indian Embassy of Kuwait website says the Indian community remains the largest expatriate community in Kuwait and crossed the 1 million mark last year. Indian ambassador to Kuwait Adarsh Swaika visited the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital where 11 injured workers were admitted. “Ten of them are expected to be released today and one in hospital is reportedly stable,” the Indian embassy said in a statement. The Government of Kuwait has not made any statement officially so far, but Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah has ordered the police to arrest the owner of the building located in Al-Mangaf. Mr. Gandhi has expressed “deepest condolences” for the bereaved families. The loss of lives of Indian migrant workers in Kuwait comes weeks after the death of an Indian national, also from Kerala, in shelling in conflict-torn Israel. “The condition of our workers in the Middle East is a serious matter of concern. The Government of India, working alongside its counterparts, must prioritise the safety of our citizens and ensure dignified living standards,” said Mr. Gandhi in a social media post. The incident has highlighted the poor living conditions of blue-collar Indian workers in the region. With reports that many of the casualties were from Kerala, the State government scrambled to get more information about the causalities. It contacted the Central government and the Malayali diaspora in Kuwait and other Gulf countries for more details. The Hindu’s Editorials High expectations: On Chandrababu Naidu as Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Right turn: On the European Parliament elections The Hindu’s Daily Quiz Pravind Jugnauth is the Prime Minister of which country? Nepal Mauritius Singapore The Maldives To know the answer and to play the full quiz, click here. [logo] Editor's Pick 13 June 2024 [The Hindu logo] [EP Logo] Editor's Pick 13 June 2024 In the Editor's Pick newsletter, The Hindu explains why a story was important enough to be carried on the front page of today's edition of our newspaper. [View in browser]( [More newsletters]( 40 Indians among 49 workers killed in Kuwait inferno [At least 49 migrant workers, including 40 Indian citizens, have died]( in a deadly fire that devastated a building in Kuwait’s southern district of Al-Mangaf. The fire that broke out in the apartment building located in Kuwait’s Al Ahmadi Governorate early on Wednesday also left more than a dozen injured, who were admitted to nearby hospitals, reported the Kuwait News Agency. Many of the victims hail from Kerala. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed shock over the incident, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed ‘serious concern’ about the living conditions of Indians in the Gulf region. “My thoughts are with all those who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. The Indian Embassy in Kuwait is closely monitoring the situation and working with the authorities there to assist the affected,” said Mr. Modi in a message. Mr. Modi held a review meeting on Wednesday evening about the condition of the affected Indians in Kuwait. He deputed Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh to oversee the help being rendered to the injured and to bring back the remains of the Indians who perished in the incident. Before leaving for Kuwait, Mr. Singh said he would be working for “early repatriation of mortal remains” of those who died in the fire incident. The Indian embassy in Kuwait has set up a helpline number (+965-65505246) which can be reached by phone and WhatsApp. The Indian Embassy of Kuwait website says the Indian community remains the largest expatriate community in Kuwait and crossed the 1 million mark last year. Indian ambassador to Kuwait Adarsh Swaika visited the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Hospital where 11 injured workers were admitted. “Ten of them are expected to be released today and one in hospital is reportedly stable,” the Indian embassy said in a statement. The Government of Kuwait has not made any statement officially so far, but Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousuf Al-Sabah has ordered the police to arrest the owner of the building located in Al-Mangaf. Mr. Gandhi has expressed “deepest condolences” for the bereaved families. The loss of lives of Indian migrant workers in Kuwait comes weeks after the death of an Indian national, also from Kerala, in shelling in conflict-torn Israel. “The condition of our workers in the Middle East is a serious matter of concern. The Government of India, working alongside its counterparts, must prioritise the safety of our citizens and ensure dignified living standards,” said Mr. Gandhi in a social media post. The incident has highlighted the poor living conditions of blue-collar Indian workers in the region. With reports that [many of the casualties were from Kerala]( the State government scrambled to get more information about the causalities. It contacted the Central government and the Malayali diaspora in Kuwait and other Gulf countries for more details. The Hindu’s Editorials [Arrow][High expectations: On Chandrababu Naidu as Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister]( [Arrow][Right turn: On the European Parliament electionsÂ]( The Hindu’s Daily Quiz Pravind Jugnauth is the Prime Minister of which country? - Nepal - Mauritius - Singapore - The Maldives To know the answer and to play the full quiz, [click here](. 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