Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Apr 18: Some more details have been divulged relating to the fire tragedy at a refinery at Jubail, Saudi Arabia, on Saturday April 16 in which 12 persons including six from Dakshina Kannada district died. It is said that about 30 workers were inside when fire suddenly started. 16 were injured in the accident. While families of the deceased workers have been informed, district administration is yet to get information. There is no information on when the bodies would be dispatched to the families of the deceased.
Deceased persons
Vincent Monteiro(37), who was the fifth among six children of the late Lawrence and Christine Monteiro from Adyarpadavu and youngest among four sons, had bagged job in Mumbai after completing ITI training. He had worked in Mumbai as electrician before bagging a job in Dubai. He had got job at Saudi Arabia four and half years back.He had planned to leave for his native place on April 16, but because of holiday problems, the visit was postponed to May 16.
Kartik Sanil was the eldest of the two sons of Krishnappa Sanil and Sandhya couple from Mulky Kolnad. After completing diploma in mechanical engineering, he had gone to work at Saudi three years back. He was working there as supervisor.
Balakrishna Poojary from Moodushedde was engaged in carpentry and furniture work here, and had left for Saudi six years back. He is survived by wife, a ten-year-old son, and a two-year-old daughter.
Bhaskar Poojary (45), second among three sons of Babu Poojary and Devaki couple from Kolambe, had married 17 years back. He was working in the plant maintenance section of the refinery. His daughter and son are studying. He was earlier working for Lamina, and had gone to gulf about seven years back after resigning his job. He wanted to pool enough savings to build his own house, it is gathered.
Ashraf (29), second of five children of the late Abdul Khader and Jainabi couple from Saag near Halengady, was working in Saudi Arabia since the last three years as pipe technician. He was providing financial support to his poor family. His elder brother, Shariff, had joined this company several years back, and had secured job for Ashraf in the same company three years back. Shariff worked in day shift and Ashraf during night shift, it is gathered. Ashraf was unmarried, and his family wanted to conduct his marriage during his next visit, it is gathered.
It is learnt that two from Kerala, three from Bihar, three from Philippines and a Nepalese also died in the tragedy. It is estimated that United Petrochemical factory where the tragedy occurred has employed about 1,750 workers including about 750 from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.
The bodies of the deceased are in hospital and it might take ten to twelve days to complete formalities and ship the bodies here. Hence, it is said that the feasibility of conducting funeral at Saudi Arabia is also under consideration.