Lok Sabha Question No. 475 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-16
Subject: Indian Dead in Gulf Countries
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Kani K. Navas, Heena Vijaykumar Gavit, Sunil Dattatray Tatkare, Dhanush M Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.475 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.09.2020

## INDIAN DEAD IN GULF COUNTRIES

475.   SHRI K. NAVASKANI:

Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of deaths of Indian people in Gulf and East Asian Countries during COVID-19 pandemic, country-wise and State wise;
- (b) whether all bodies have been brought to India and handed over to their family members; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof, State-wise?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) to (c) Government of India attaches high importance to bringing back mortal remains of Indian nationals who die abroad. As per the information available with the Ministry, during Covid-19 pandemic, from 1 February to 15 August 2020, 5286 cases of deaths of Indian nationals were reported in the Gulf and East Asian countries. The country-wise list of these   cases   is   attached   at   Annex   I.   The   Ministry   has   facilitated transportation of 1807 mortal remains from Gulf and East Asian countries during this   period,   despite   the   difficulties   faced   due   to   disruptions   in international air travel caused by Covid-19 pandemic. In some cases, the last rites of the deceased have been performed locally as per the wishes of their family members. Our Missions and Posts abroad are constantly following up the cases of Mortal Remains transfer with local authorities and are extending all possible assistance for their early repatriation.

Annexure- I to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 475

|   S.No | Country   |   Death of Indians in Foreign Countries (01.02.2020 to 15.08.2020) |   Number of cases of transportation of mortal remains(01.02.2020 to 15.08.2020) |
|--------|-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|      1 | Bahrain   |                                                                176 |                                                                              64 |
|      2 | China     |                                                                 20 |                                                                               6 |
|      3 | Iran      |                                                                  2 |                                                                               1 |
|      4 | Japan     |                                                                 14 |                                                                               7 |

| 5   | Korea (DPR)          |    0 |    0 |
|-----|----------------------|------|------|
| 6   | Korea (Republic of)  |    5 |    0 |
| 7   | Kuwait               |  694 |  356 |
| 8   | Mongolia             |    0 |    0 |
| 9   | Oman                 |  336 |  163 |
| 10  | Qatar                |  238 |  148 |
| 11  | Saudi Arabia         | 2360 |  357 |
| 12  | United Arab Emirates | 1441 |  705 |
|     | Total                | 5286 | 1807 |

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