Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Friday accused the central government of not permitting her to travel to Kuwait to coordinate assistance for Indian nationals from Kerala affected by the tragic fire in Mangaf, Kuwait. The fire resulted in the deaths of 45 Indians, with a significant number hailing from Kerala.
An uneasy silence enveloped the import cargo terminal of Kochi airport as authorities prepared to receive the bodies of the victims. Ambulances were stationed at the terminal to transport the remains to their respective homes.
A special Indian Air Force aircraft, C-130J, landed in Kochi on Friday morning, carrying the mortal remains of the 45 Indian victims. Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, who coordinated with Kuwaiti authorities to ensure swift repatriation, was also on board, according to the Indian embassy.
Minister Veena George expressed her disappointment at not being granted permission to travel to Kuwait. “It is very unfortunate that we did not get the consent to travel. More than half of the people who died were from Kerala, and the majority of those under treatment are also from Kerala,” George stated at Cochin International Airport. The Kerala government had convened an emergency Cabinet meeting on Thursday, announcing that Veena George and State Mission Director (NHM) Jeevan Babu would travel to Kuwait to coordinate efforts for the injured and oversee the repatriation of the deceased.
George highlighted the lack of precise data from the Indian embassy on the number of seriously injured individuals. According to her, seven people were admitted to the hospital, with four reportedly from Kerala. “The purpose of my visit was to be with the injured and bring their needs to the attention of the Central Government,” she added.
Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi praised the external affairs ministry for its effective coordination in ensuring the treatment of Indians injured in the Kuwait fire tragedy. He also announced the cancellation of his other programs to receive the bodies of the Malayalees who died in the fire.
Kerala Revenue Minister K Rajan stated that the bodies of 23 Malayalees, seven Tamilians, and one individual from Karnataka would be received in Kochi before the aircraft proceeds to Delhi with the remaining victims.
