18 Indians killed in Sudan factory fire

Khartoum, December 4 

At least 18 Indians were among 23 persons killed and over 130 injured in an LPG tanker blast that destroyed a ceramic factory in Sudan, the Indian mission said here on Wednesday.

Sixteen Indians were missing after the incident that happened at Seela Ceramic Factory in Bahri area in the Sudanese capital Khartoum on Tuesday.

The blaze sent large plumes of black smoke into the sky of the northern part of the in northeastern African country’s capital. “As per latest reports, but so far not confirmed officially, 18 are dead,” the Indian Embassy said in a release. “Some of the missing may be in the list of dead which we are still to receive as identification is not possible because of the bodies being burnt,” it added.

Official sources in New Delhi said 68 Indians were working in the factory. “Deeply grieved to learn that some Indian workers have lost their lives while some others have been seriously injured,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said. “A 24-hour emergency hotline +249-921917471 has been set up. The Embassy is also putting out updates on social media. Our prayers are with the workers and their families,” he tweeted. — PTI 

18 kidnapped off Nigeria 

Pirates kidnapped 19 crew members, including 18 Indians and a Turkish national, after attacking a Hong Kong-flagged crude carrier on Tuesday while it was transiting through Nigerian waters. TNS