13 victims from Kerala identified; CM Vijayan calls special cabinet meeting

Thiruvananthapuram: The death of 13 Malayalis in the massive fire that broke out in southern Kuwait's Mangaf has been confirmed by their families in Kerala, although no official confirmation has been received yet.

Sources in the Kerala government's welfare agency for Non-Resident Keralites (NRKs) said the death toll could rise as many bodies are yet to be identified. Several Malayalis are among those undergoing treatment.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has called a special cabinet meeting to discuss further steps to be taken.

Loka Kerala Sabha, a conference of representatives of NRKs from across the world, was scheduled to be held in Thiruvananthapuram from Thursday to Saturday. Due to this incident, the inaugural ceremony was canceled.

According to information available from local sources, the deceased Malayalis identified so far are: Sreehari P, 27, from Changanassery in Kottayam, Bahuleyan, 36, from Perinthalmanna in Malappuram, Shameer Umarudeen, 30, from Kollam, K Renjith, 34, from Chengala. in Kasargod, Kelu, 58, from Pilikodu in Kasargod, Stephin Abraham Sabu, 29, from Kottayam, Akash Sasidharan, 31, from Pandalam in Pathanamthitta, Sajan George, 29, from Punalur in Kollam, Saju Varghese, 56 , from Konni in Pathanamthitta, PV Muraleedharan, 68, from Pathanamthitta, Lukose, 48, from Kollam, Thomas Umman, 37, from Thiruvalla and Noohu from Malappuram.