Kuwait Mangaf tragedy; All 14 victims from Kerala identified; Thrissur native still missing

KUWAIT CITY: All the 14 Keralites, charred to death in the apartment fire near Kuwait Mangaf Ahmadi Governorate, have been identified. It is reported that 49 people died in the shocking tragedy. The government has officially confirmed the death of 41 people. The mortal remains of the Indian nationals will be brought back home in an Air Force carrier.

List:

Shemeer (30) from Kollam Sooranad; Stefin Abraham Sabu (30) from Kottayam Pampady; Kelu (55) from Pilicode; Akash S Nair (32) from Ayranikudy, Pandalam; PV Muraleedharan (54) from Vazhamuttom, Pathanamthitta; Sajan George (28) from Narikkal Punalur; Luke Vadakot (Sabu, 48) (Kollam); Saju Varghese (56) from Konni; Ranjith (34) from Kasaragod; Thomas Oommen (37) from Tiruvalla; Srihari Pradeep (27) from Changanassery; Nuh (40) from Tirur; MP Bahuleyan (36) from Pulamanthole; and Vishwas Krishnan, a resident of Kannur Dharmadam.

In the latest, the authorities have raised concern about the whereabouts of a Thrissur native who is still missing. Benoy Thomas, a native of Chavakkad, who is reported to have been in the apartment during the fire accident is now elusive. Benoy arrived in Kuwait four days ago. Of the total of 50 injured in the fire accident, more than 30 are Malayalis.

Union Minister Kirti Vardhan insisted on DNA tests to identify some bodies of Indian nationals who fell victim to the accident.