An Indian Air Force aircraft left from Kuwait on Friday with the bodies of 45 migrant workers from several states across the country who were killed in the Mangaf fire tragedy. Their families are devastated after the tragedy in Kuwait took their lives.
In about a couple of months, Umarudheen Shameer, a native of Kollam, who was among the 45 Indians who lost their lives in the fire that broke out at an apartment building in Kuwait’s Mangaf area, was to return to his hometown and lay the foundation stone for a home that his family had dreamt of.
Hailing from Sooranad North, the 33-year-old had been working in the Kuwait-based company NBTC as a driver for close to five years. Eight months ago, he visited his wife Surumi and family before returning to Kuwait. It is suspected that Shameer, in a state of panic and in an attempt to save his life, tried to jump from the building, leading to his death.
His family, who is still in shock as they are yet to come to terms with the tragedy, said that they are in constant touch with the Kerala government and MEA officials to track when his body will be brought to Kerala for the last rites.
“He was such a lovable and lively soul. He always wore a smile on his face and had big plans for his family to settle well,” said Shajeer, his relative, to News18.
“He would call every morning before going to work. When on Wednesday the call did not come, his wife was concerned. A friend from there called to tell us about the fire. We are numb. We don’t know how to react to this tragedy. We are relying on the guidance of the state government and those involved in the rescue operations,” the relative said.
Lukose VO, 48 years old, another native of Kollam just like Shameer, had spent more than 18 years in Kuwait and worked in NBTC for a decade. One of his seven siblings, he worked as a foreman supervisor and during his visits to Kerala, he would actively participate in social, cultural, and sports events in his panchayat. He is survived by two daughters, one who just passed her twelfth examination, while the younger one is studying in Std 5.
“He was a soft-natured, religious man who knew how to interact with people respectfully. He was well-known around and ready to help anybody in distress. I have seen him since his young days, and he worked hard to give his family a comfortable life back home,” said Shaji Lukose, a family friend who is also the local ward elected member.
Ninety kilometre away from Kollam in Kottayam, a young mechanical engineer Sreehari Pradeep landed in Kuwait on June 6 to start his first job. He had found employment in NBTC, the same company his father, Pradeep, had been serving in for the past ten years. He had been housed on the sixth floor of the ill-fated apartment building in Kuwait’s Mangaf area just five days ago. Sreehari was one of his three sons.
“Pradeep, Sreehari’s father, rushed to the apartment building when he heard the news. He was housed in a flat just two buildings away. The moment he heard about the fire, he went to rescue, but was stopped by the rescue personnel. It took some time to identify his body in the hospital. Pradeep himself called up his family back in Ithithanam to break the unfortunate news,” said Udayakumar, a close neighbor and friend.
“Sreehari was finally identified by the tattoo marks on his wrists, and later Pradeep confirmed it,” he added.
Another family from Kottayam, that of Stephin Sabu (29 years), is completely in shock just like the other families. They haven’t spoken since they heard the news and are trying to keep in touch with the authorities to know more about the formalities and when they can bring Stephin home. “Did you know he had plans to settle down as a nice marriage proposal had come? We were asking him to come back soon. It was not like this that we wanted him home,” said a close family member, breaking down in tears and requesting not to be named.
“We have lost the light of our home. We are in darkness and I request all to please pray,” said the family member.
Just like the others, Sajan, who hailed from Punalur in Kollam, had sent his first salary home last week. An MTech in engineering, he was working as a junior engineer at NBTC, having left his job as an assistant professor in an Adoor-based college.
“He would call to tell us about his day and his experience working there as it was his first job abroad. What do we do now,” asked his shocked and heartbroken father George, who is yet to come to terms with the news.
For Nalinakshan, another employee of NBTC hailing from Kasargod, a decision made in a split second saved him. Having found himself trapped on a third-floor apartment when the building caught fire, he jumped into a water tank to save himself from the rising flames. His leap towards safety saved his life, though leaving him with broken ribs and external injuries.
“We were watching with fear when we heard the news of the fire. We informed our relatives living close by who rushed to the location. They found him inside the water tank, alive but immobile due to his injuries. He was safe and we are thankful for that,” said Nalinakshan’s uncle Balakrishnan.
The fire that broke out in the kitchen at around 4 am while many of the residents of the accommodation were asleep, claimed the lives of 49 foreign nationals, including 45 Indians; a substantial number of them were from Kerala.
Kerala Health Minister Veena George is expected to leave to Kuwait to coordinate efforts and assist the families of those who were killed and injured in the massive fire and expedite their return to India. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for those who were injured .
On the directions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh travelled to Kuwait immediately to expedite the repatriation of mortal remains and provide medical assistance to the injured, according to the release from MEA.
Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Kuwait remained in close contact with local authorities to provide relief and rescue. The Embassy has also set up a helpline at +965-65505246 (WhatsApp and regular call) for family members to get in touch. Prime Minister Modi chaired a review meeting and announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund to the families of the deceased Indian nationals.
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