Kuwait Fire: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan writes to External Affairs Minister requesting urgent intervention

KUWAIT CITY: The Chief Minister has sent a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar seeking the immediate intervention of the central government in the incident of death of many people including Malayalees in Kuwait fire.

"Several Indians, including Malayalis, have reportedly lost their lives and some have sustained serious injuries in the unfortunate incident. Necessary instructions should be given to the Indian Embassy to coordinate relief and rescue operations with the Kuwaiti government," the Chief Minister requested.

Meanwhile, one of the Malayalis who died in the fire in the labour camp building in Mangaf city in southern Kuwait has been identified. Umaruddin Shamir (33), a native of Kollam Oyoor, died. Information from news agencies is that a total of 11 Malayalees have died. 49 people died in the accident. 30 of them are Indians. Reports are that the details of the others who died will be released soon.

The fire broke out around 4.30 am. The flat belongs to NBTC group owned by a Malayali. Many people who tried to escape were burnt to death. A number of people trapped inside died of smoke inhalation. Kuwaiti Interior Minister Sheikh Fahad Yusuf Saud Al-Sabah ordered a police investigation into the accident.