Mortal remains of 14 deceased in Sudan tanker blast to arrive in India today

Identification and medical formalities of 14 Indian nationals killed in last week's tragic LPG tanker blast at a ceramic factory in Sudan, have been completed and the mortal remains will be sent back to the country tomorrow onwards, the Indian Embassy said here on Monday.

"In regard to the Indian casualties in the ceramics factory fire in Khartoum, the Embassy has expedited the identification and completion of medico-legal formalities for the 14 identified bodies. The mortal remains will be sent to India from tomorrow onwards," the Indian Embassy announced here on Twitter.

The Indian mission issued a detailed list of the Indians who were killed in the ghastly incident.

Earlier according to the Indian Embassy 18 Indians were among the 23 people killed in the LPG blast at the factory in the Sudanese capital Khartoum although the numbers were not officially confirmed.

"It was an unfortunate incident. 58 Indian workers were working at the factory in Sudan. Six Indian workers were killed in the incident. Eight Indians are in hospital and 11 people are unidentified or missing. 33 Indians are safe," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had told reporters in a weekly briefing.

The explosion occurred while a gas tanker was unloading its cargo at the factory, as per a statement by Sudan's Council of Ministers, as cited by Xinhua news agency.

130 others were also injured in the incident.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed his anguish over the tragedy while External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that the Indian embassy in Sudan has set up a 24-hour emergency hotline.