Kuwait tragedy: Flight carrying victims’ bodies to reach after 10 am, ministers to receive bodies

KOCHI: Minister K Rajan said that all arrangements have been made to transport the bodies of Kuwait fire victims, to their homes. He said that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Ministers P Rajeev, Roshi Augustine and Veena George will reach the airport to receive the bodies and pay their last respects. Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi will reach Nedumbassery.

‘The death of 45 Indians has been confirmed so far. As soon as the information was received, the national and the state government intervened very efficiently. A special cabinet meeting was convened yesterday and all steps were taken then itself.

It was earlier informed that the flight carrying the bodies would arrive here at 8:30 am. The cargo plane took off at 6.20 am Indian time. The information received is that the flight will arrive after 10 am. All arrangements have been taken to transport the bodies to their homes.

The Center had earlier decided that the bodies would be brought to Delhi. The chief secretary gave a letter to the Union Ministry of External Affairs after the issue was discussed in the cabinet meet convened yesterday. The bodies of 23 Malayalees, seven from Tamil Nadu and one from Karnataka will be brought here. The remaining 14 bodies will be taken to Delhi. Homage will be paid to all the 31 bodies and arrangements have been made for that. 31 ambulances have been kept ready,’ said the minister.