Relatives seek Pakistani authorities’ help after reported killing of family members due to missile debris in Kuwait

Introduction

Relatives of a Pakistan-origin man, Waqas Ahmed, who has been missing in Kuwait along with his family, have sought the assistance of Pakistani authorities to determine the family's fate after receiving unverified reports that they may have died in an explosion caused by missile debris.

Coverage Background

This story was reported by Dawn, Pakistan's respected English-language daily, which provided the only available coverage of the incident. The outlet's reporting is based on a letter sent by Muhammad Saleem, the brother-in-law of the missing man, to Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as direct remarks from Saleem. No other independent sources have yet reported on this matter, so the account remains singular and unsubstantiated.

Key Claims

The family, comprising five members—four Australian nationals including Waqas, and his Egyptian wife—was reportedly traveling by road from Kuwait to Saudi Arabia due to the deteriorating security situation in the region. According to the letter, a neighbor identified as Zeeshan contacted the relatives via WhatsApp, claiming that a missile interception incident had caused debris to strike an oil tanker near the family's vehicle, resulting in a massive explosion involving approximately ten vehicles. The neighbor further stated that Waqas, his wife, and their elder daughter died at the scene, while their son and younger daughter were admitted to a hospital but later succumbed to their injuries on the same day.

Perspectives

The relatives, speaking through Muhammad Saleem, are in a state of distress and uncertainty. They have urged the Pakistani authorities to verify the information, but when they requested hospital details or the contact information of Waqas's father-in-law—whom the neighbor claimed as his source—the caller declined to provide any information and said he would confirm later. Since then, no further details have been received.

The report also notes that four Pakistanis were previously confirmed killed due to falling debris from missile interceptions in the United Arab Emirates, which adds a regional context to the incident, though the current story remains unverified.

As of this report, neither Kuwaiti nor Pakistani officials have issued an official statement confirming or denying the incident, and the information remains based solely on unverified claims relayed to the relatives through a third party.