KOCHI: A pall of gloom was witnessed at the Nedumbassery Airport when the Air Force’ flight carrying the bodies of fire victims in Kuwait reached the Nedumbassery Airport. The flight with the bodies reached the airport at 10.30 am. The bodies were received jointly by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi, other ministers of the state and opposition leader V D Satheesan.

Political leaders, MLAs and many others have reached the airport. The chief minister and Union Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh paid floral tributes to the bodies. The relatives of the dead were not able to control their grief.

The bodies were taken out of the airport at around 11.49 am after completing the immigration and customs procedures of the air force flight that reached Kochi. The bodies of 23 Malayalees, seven from Tamil Nadu and one from Karnataka were brought to Kochi. The plane landed in Kochi with the bodies of 45 dead Indians. The plane will leave for Delhi with the bodies of others.

Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh was also in the flight. A total of 24 Malayalees were killed in the fire. Denny Baby, a native of Karunagapally in Kollam, has been living in Mumbai for years. His cremation will be in Mumbai.

There was a public homage in a specially erected place in Nedumbassery Airport. The bodies were taken to their respective homes after that in ambulances. Family members and relatives of the dead were in the airport to receive the bodies. A police pilot vehicle will accompany the ambulance carrying a body.

45 Indians have been confirmed dead so far. Minister K Rajan had earlier informed that since the news of the accident came to light, the central government and the state government had initiated necessary measures.

The Kuwaiti company NBTC has announced an emergency financial assistance of Rs 8 lakh to the families of the dead. Jobs will be given to their dependents. The government in the special cabinet meet convened yesterday decided to give a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the family of the dead and Rs1 lakh each to the injured. The chief minister informed that prominent businessmen Yusuff Ali and Ravi Pillai have offered a compensation of Rs 5 lakh and 2 lakh each respectively.

The bodies will be taken to their homes after a public darshan arranged at the Nedumbassery Airport. Family members and relatives of the dead have reached the airport to receive the bodies. A police pilot vehicle will accompany the ambulance carrying a body.

So far, 45 Indians have been confirmed dead. Minister K Rajan had earlier informed that since the news of the accident came to light, the central government and the state government have initiated necessary measures.