When the fire broke out, I could not understand anything. There was only smoke all around. Nothing was visible even from the windows. The flames of fire were intent on burning everything. When I felt that it was difficult to survive now, I would die, then without thinking I jumped into the water tank kept below… Thank God I am still alive… This horrifying story was told by Nalakshan, who survived the Kuwait fire… When he called his family an hour after the incident, he started crying while describing the situation.
49 people lost their lives in the Kuwait fire, 42 of them were Indians. Most of them were from Kerala and Malayalam and had gone to Kuwait to earn money. This fire took away the fathers of many children and some lost the vermilion on their forehead. But Nalinakshan, a resident of Trikaripur in Kerala, is among those who survived by defeating death. When his phone rang, the family heaved a sigh of relief. Many of his friends became victims of this fire.
The flames were burning people alive
Nalinakshan said, when the flames were burning people alive…people were running here and there to save their lives. It was a strange race. I found myself trapped between fire and smoke on the third floor. I did not understand what to do. When the fire came closer to me, I felt that I will die now… then I remembered the water tank below. I jumped into it without thinking. I got severe injuries in the lower part of my body, and I fainted before reaching the hospital. But thankfully I came out alive.
Ranjit was going to come in July
Most of the people who died in the Kuwait fire were Indians. Most had gone to earn for their families. All were living in the same house. 24 of the victims were from Kerala and 5 from Tamil Nadu. Among those who died was Stephen Abraham Sabu, 29, an engineer from Pampady in Kottayam. His family includes his mother Shirley and his brothers Fabin and Kevin. Kelu Ponmaleri, a resident of Trikaripur, also died, while 34-year-old Ranjit from Kasargod also did not survive. Ranjit had gone to Kuwait a year and a half ago after celebrating the griha pravesh of his new house. He had planned to return to his village for holidays in July. Now the families of all these people are in shock.
FIRST PUBLISHED : June 13, 2024, 15:55 IST