An Indian national was killed in an Iranian attack on a power and desalination plant in Kuwait, authorities said on Monday, bringing the total number of Indians killed in the conflict in West Asia to eight.
The Indian Embassy in Doha confirmed “the tragic death of an Indian citizen as a result of an attack on a desalination facility in Kuwait” on Sunday. The embassy said on social media: “The embassy is in close coordination with the Kuwaiti authorities to provide all possible support and assistance.”
The Kuwaiti Ministry of Electricity said in a statement that the electricity and water desalination plant “was attacked as part of the Iranian aggression” against the country, which led to the death of an Indian worker and severe damage to the building.
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This was the first Indian death in Kuwait since the Israeli and US military strikes on Iran on February 28 sparked the conflict in West Asia. More than a million Indians live in Kuwait, making up the largest expatriate community in the country.
Iran has warned that it will target infrastructure such as power and desalination plants in neighboring countries that host US military bases in response to attacks on Iranian energy and other infrastructure.
Last week, an Indian national was killed and another injured due to debris from a missile interception in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Thursday.
Another Indian national was killed in missile and drone attacks on the Saudi capital, Riyadh, on March 18.
Two other Indians were killed in an attack on an industrial zone in Oman on March 13, and three sailors were killed in attacks on commercial ships in the early days of the conflict. An Indian national was also reported missing.
Dozens of Indians, including workers and sailors, were injured in attacks in several Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Iraq.
The Indian government focused on the safety and security of 10 million Indian citizens living in West Asian countries during its communication with the leadership of these countries in recent days. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates alone are home to about eight million Indians.
