Body of Indian killed in Lebanon arrives

The body of Devesh Kumar Swain, India's first casualty in the Israeli strikes on Lebanon, arrived in Bhubaneswar from Delhi Monday.

Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Minister of State for Information and Public Relations Debasish Nayak laid wreaths at the coffin of Swain, who hailed from Kendrapara district, at the Biju Patnaik airport.

"We extend our deepest condolences to the family members at this time of tragedy," Patnaik said and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 25,000 for the next of kin of Swain. District Collector of Kendrapara was present to receive the body.

Swain, 42, was from Khadipala village under Pattamundai block of Kendrapara and was employed at a glass factory at Bekaa on the outskirts of Lebanon's capital Beirut. He was killed on Friday when an Israeli missile slammed into the factory.