Home » Cover » Drone strike in Kuwait ends Som Kumar Tamang’s dream, 92-year-old father bids farewell Drone strike in Kuwait ends Som Kumar Tamang’s dream, 92-year-old father bids farewell Krishna Singh Dhami Monday, August 3, 2026 0Comments On the morning of July 30, a call came from Kuwait to Bikash Tamang’s mobile phone in Kathmandu. The caller asked, “Are you Bikash? Is Som Kumar Tamang your relative?” As soon as Bikash said yes, the next sentence from the other end left him stunned. “The vehicle he was riding in was hit in a drone attack, and he died,” the caller said. For a few moments, Bikash couldn’t believe it. When he checked Som’s phone, he realised that a friend who worked with Som had tried to reach the number saved as “Bikash Bhatij” (nephew Bikash). That call marked the beginning of an agonising wait for the family. Bikash immediately called relative Tika Tamang, who was in Itahari at the time. At first, no one could easily accept the news of the death. Tika contacted people in Kuwait to verify the truth of the incident, and reached out to the manpower agency that had sent Som to Kuwait. Only then was Som’s death confirmed for Tika as well. “I asked them to contact Kuwait again, to find out which manpower agency he had gone through, and to confirm with the embassy,” Tika told Onlinekhabar. “It was only after verifying everything repeatedly that we learned it was true.” Only after that was the news gradually passed on to family members and relatives. In 2022, Som, from Ratuwamai Municipality-9 in Morang, had gone to Kuwait carrying the dream of improving his family’s financial situation. Now he had returned to his own village, but as a corpse in a coffin. The 44-year-old Som died on the morning of July 30 in a drone strike carried out by Iran. He had gone to Kuwait to work as a driver, and the attack struck while he was in his vehicle. The Nepali Embassy in Kuwait stated that he died on the spot. Som’s body was sent to Nepal on Saturday. It arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday afternoon and was taken straight to his home in Morang, where the last rites were performed the same day. His body was brought home on Sunday afternoon. As it lay in the courtyard, family members broke down in tears. His 92-year-old, frail father tried to touch his son’s face one last time. His wife’s weeping would not stop. His two children stared in silence at the father who would never return. Soon after the body reached the village, the family carried it to the river for the cremation. Rain continued to pour from the sky throughout. “It was pouring heavily as we carried the body to the river for the cremation; we performed the last rites in the rain,” Tika said. The family includes his 92-year-old father, his wife, two children, an elder brother and sister-in-law, and an elderly aunt. His mother had passed away a few years earlier. According to Tika, before going abroad for work, Som had been a professional driver in Nepal. For years he drove a Toyota Hiace on the roads of Kathmandu, Morang, and Jhapa, before choosing to go to Kuwait in hopes of better earnings. There too, he worked as a driver. He had flown to Kuwait carrying the dream of brightening his family’s future and becoming a support for his 92-year-old father in his old age. In Kuwait, he drove for a living. But as fate would have it, a fatal drone strike destroyed not just his vehicle, but the trust and security of an entire family. A driver who had gone abroad carrying the dream of a brighter future for his family finally returned to his own village, but this time, he was welcomed not with smiles, but with his family’s tears, flowing beside a coffin holding his body. For his household, Som was not just one person; he was the pillar who fulfilled all their needs and brought them happiness. Having travelled thousands of kilometres from behind the wheel, Som himself likely never imagined that his own life’s journey would end so abruptly, midway. “Who will now make up for his absence in this household?” Tika said. “There’s a 92-year-old father at home, a frail aunt, young children; a huge thunderbolt has struck this family.”

Som Kumar Tamang's body arrived in Nepal at midnight Som Kumar Tamang, a young man from Tehrathum who lost his life in an Iranian missile attack, will never return home. Tamang, who had been working as a driver in Kuwait since 2022, tragically passed away when a missile struck a Chinese company building in northern Kuwait. After his body was brought to Nepal at midnight, the family and village are in mourning. Emotional tributes! Om Shanti.

मध्यरातमा नेपाल आ"इपुग्यो सोम कुमार तामाङको श""व इरानी मिसाइल आ""क्रमणमा ज्""यान गुमा""एका तेह्रथुमका युवा सोम कुमार तामाङ अब कहि"ल्यै घर फ""र्किने छै;"नन्। सन् २०२२ देखि कुवेतमा चालकका रूपमा कार्यरत तामाङको उत्तरी कुवेतस्थित एक चिनियाँ कम्पनीको भवनमा मि"""साइल आ"""क्रमण हुँदा दुः"""खद् नि"""धन भएको थियो। म"ध्यरातमा उनको पार्थिव श/रीर नेपाल ल्याइएपछि परिवार र गाउँ शो""कमा डु""बेको छ। भावपूर्ण श्र"द्धाञ्जली! ॐ शान्ति।

The mortal remains of Nepali worker Som Kumar Tamang, who lost his life in a missile attack in Kuwait, were brought home today. A Nepali who had gone abroad with the dream of employment has returned in a coffin. The conflict raging in West Asia has caused indelible pain to another Nepali family. Heartfelt condolences to the departed soul and deep condolences to the bereaved family.

कुवेतमा मिसाइल आक्र'मणमा ज्यान गुमाएका नेपाली श्रमिक सोमकुमार तामाङको पार्थिव शरीर आज स्वदेश ल्याइएको छ। रोजगारीको सपना बोकेर परदेश पुगेका एक नेपाली फेरि कफिनमा फर्किएका छन्। पश्चिम एसियामा चर्किएको द्व"न्द्वले अर्को नेपाली परिवारलाई कहिल्यै नमेटिने पी'डा दिएको छ। दिवंगत आत्माप्रति हार्दिक श्रद्धा"ञ्जली तथा शो'कसन्तप्त परिवारजनप्रति गहिरो समवेदना।

A life snatched in a foreign land: Som Kumar Tamang's dream returns in a coffin ​Kathmandu — Som Kumar Tamang, 44, from Terhathum, who entered the city of technology with the dream of a beautiful future, has finally returned home, locked in a cold wooden coffin. The atmosphere there was shocked and emotional when a midnight Kuwait Airways flight landed at Tribhuvan International Airport. ​Som Kumar, who has been sweating as a driver in Kuwait since 2022, has not had an easy life as expected. A sudden missile attack on the building of the company he worked for in northern Kuwait ended his entire dream, family's trust, and a cheerful life in an instant. ​The Nepali Embassy in Kuwait has completed all the legal procedures and sent Som Kumar's body home. Family members who were waiting to hug their loved ones alive now have to bid a tearful farewell to his lifeless body and closed coffin. The unimaginable and tragic end of a Nepali son who was abroad for employment is an irreparable loss for the entire country. We express our heartfelt condolences to the departed soul and pray that the bereaved family may find the strength to bear this difficult time.

विदेशी भूमिमा खोसिएको जीवन: सोम कुमार तामाङको कफिनमा फर्कियो सपना ​काठमाडौँ — एउटा सुन्दर भविष्यको सपना बोकेर प्रविधिको सहर छिरेका तेह्रथुमका ४४ वर्षीय सोम कुमार तामाङ अन्ततः काठको एउटा चिसो कफिनमा बन्द भएर स्वदेश फर्किएका छन्। कुवेत एयरवेजको मध्यरातिको उडानले त्रिभुवन अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय विमानस्थलमा अवतरण गर्दा त्यहाँको वातावरण स्तब्ध र भावविह्वल बनेको थियो। ​सन् २०२२ देखि कुवेतमा सवारी चालकका रूपमा पसिना बगाइरहेका सोम कुमारको जीवनयात्रा सोचेजस्तो सहज रहेन। उत्तरी कुवेतस्थित उनी कार्यरत कम्पनीको भवनमा भएको अकस्मात मिसाइल आक्रमणले उनको सम्पूर्ण सपना, परिवारको भरोसा र एउटा हंसमुख जीवन क्षणभरमै समाप्त पारिदियो। ​कुवेतस्थित नेपाली दूतावासले सम्पूर्ण कानुनी प्रक्रिया पूरा गरी सोम कुमारको पार्थिव शरीरलाई स्वदेश पठाएको हो। आफ्ना प्रियजनलाई जीवितै अँगालो हाल्ने प्रतीक्षामा बसेका परिवारका सदस्यहरूले अब केवल उनको निर्जीव शरीर र बन्द कफिनलाई अश्रुपूर्ण बिदाइ गर्नुपरिरहेको छ। ​रोजगारीको सिलसिलामा परदेशिएका एउटा नेपाली सपूतको यसरी अकल्पनीय र दुःखद अन्त्य हुनु सिङ्गो देशकै लागि एउटा कहिल्यै नपुग्ने क्षति हो। ​दिवंगत आत्माप्रति भावपूर्ण श्रद्धाञ्जली अर्पण गर्दै यस कठिन घडीमा शोकाकुल परिवारजनमा धैर्यधारण गर्ने शक्ति मिलोस् भन्ने गहिरो समवेदना व्यक्त गर्दछौँ।

Very heartbreaking news! ​Heartfelt condolences! ​The news of the tragic death of Mr. Som Kumar Tamang, a resident of Chuhandanda (Hattikharka), Aathrai Rural Municipality-6, Tehrathum District, in his workplace during the drone attack carried out by Iran in Kuwait, has shocked and saddened us. ​The entire country is mourning the untimely death of a brave Nepali son who had gone abroad for work. ​In this hour of unimaginable and unbearable pain, I offer my heartfelt condolences, praying for the eternal peace of the departed soul. I also express my deepest condolences to the bereaved family, relatives and all friends. May God grant the bereaved family the strength to bear this great loss! May the departed soul rest in peace!

अत्यन्तै हृ**दयविदारक खबर! ​हा*र्दिक श्र!द्धा*ञ्जली! ​तेह्रथुम जिल्ला, आठराई गाउँपालिका–६, चुहानडाँडा (हात्तिखर्क) निवासी श्री सोम कुमार तामाङको इरानद्वारा कुवेतमा गरिएको ड्रो*न आ*क्रम*णका क्रममा आफ्नो कार्यस्थलमै परेर दुःख*द नि*धन भएको खबरले स्त*ब्ध र म*र्माहत बनाएको छ। ​रोजगारीका सिलसिलामा परदेशिएका नेपाली वीर सपूतले यसरी अकालमा ज्यान गुमाउनुपर्दा सिङ्गो देश नै शो**कमा डूबिरहेको छ। ​यस अकल्पनीय र असह्य पी**डाको घ**डीमा दि*वंगत आ!त्माको वैकुण्ठ वासको कामना गर्दै भावपूर्ण श्र**द्धाञ्जली अर्पण गर्दछु। साथै, शोकसन्तप्त परिवारजन, आफन्त तथा सम्पूर्ण इष्टमित्रहरूप्रति गहिरो समवेदना व्यक्त गर्दछु। ​ईश्वरले पी**डामा परेको परिवारलाई यो ठूलो ब!ज्रपात सहने श**क्ति प्रदान गरून्! ​दिवं*गत आत्माले चिरशान्ति प्राप्त गरून्!

The news of the tragic death of Mr. Som Kumar Tamang, a resident of Chuhandanda (Hattikharka), Aathrai Rural Municipality-6, Tehrathum District, in the drone attack carried out by Iran in Kuwait, at his workplace has left me deeply saddened. I offer my heartfelt tribute to the departed soul and express my deepest condolences to the bereaved family, relatives and well-wishers. Om Shanti.

इरानद्वारा कुवेतमा गरिएको ड्रोन आक्रमणमा परी तेह्रथुम जिल्ला, आठराई गाउँपालिका–६, चुहानडाँडा (हात्तिखर्क) निवासी श्री सोम कुमार तामाङको आफ्नो कार्यस्थलमै भएको दुःखद निधनको खबरले अत्यन्त मर्माहत बनाएको छ। दिवंगत आत्माप्रति हार्दिक श्रद्धाञ्जली अर्पण गर्दै शोकसन्तप्त परिवारजन, आफन्त तथा शुभेच्छुकहरूमा गहिरो समवेदना व्यक्त गर्दछु। ॐ शान्ति।

A 44-year-old Nepali citizen, Som Kumar Tamang from Tehrathum, has died in a drone attack in northern Kuwait. Tamang had been working there as a driver when the attack took place on Thursday. The Nepali Embassy in Kuwait said it was officially informed about his death by Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The embassy is now working with the concerned authorities to complete the legal process and send his body back to Nepal as soon as possible. Following the latest security developments, the embassy has asked all Nepalis living in Kuwait to remain calm, stay in safe places, and strictly follow the safety instructions issued by the Kuwaiti government. Stay connected with us @24ghantanepal for the latest updates!

Kathmandu, July 31: The Embassy of Nepal in Kuwait has confirmed the tragic death of an innocent Nepali national in a drone attack in northern Kuwait. The deceased is Som Kumar Tamang, 44, of Tehrathum district.   Likewise, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned this indiscriminate attack against civilians and has called upon all parties concerned to engage in dialogue and diplomacy, exercise the utmost restraint and to ensure the safety, security and protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure in accordance with their obligations under international law. The Ministry has underscored the imperative of full respect for and strict adherence to the Geneva Conventions and applicable rules of international humanitarian law under all circumstances. In a press release, the Ministry extended deep condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased and expressed commitment to providing all necessary assistance, including facilitating the earliest possible repatriation of the mortal remains of the deceased. (RSS) How did you feel after reading this news?

The coffin containing the body of Som Kumar Tamang arrived from Kuwait at midnight. The coffin containing the body of 44-year-old Nepali migrant worker Som Kumar Tamang landed at Tribhuvan International Airport on a Kuwait Airways flight at midnight. Tamang, from Tehrathum district, who had been working as a pilot in the Gulf nation since 2022, was killed when an Iranian missile hit a Chinese company building in northern Kuwait last Thursday. He is the second Nepali worker to lose his life in the conflict that has raged in West Asia. The Nepali Embassy in Kuwait had expedited the process of sending the body back to the bereaved family for last rites. Photos: Suryams Upreti/ Nepal Photo Library

सोम कुमार तामाङको शव रहेको कफिन मध्यरातमा कुवेत बाट आइपुग्यो । ४४ वर्षीय नेपाली आप्रवासी कामदार सोम कुमार तामाङको शव रहेको कफिन मध्यरातमा कुवेत एयरवेजको उडानबाट त्रिभुवन अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय विमानस्थलमा अवतरण गरिएको छ। सन् २०२२ देखि खाडी राष्ट्रमा चालकका रूपमा कार्यरत तेह्रथुम जिल्लाका तामाङको गत बिहीबार उत्तरी कुवेतमा रहेको एक चिनियाँ कम्पनीको भवनमा इरानी मिसाइल बज्रिँदा मृत्यु भएको थियो। पश्चिम एसियामा चर्किएको द्वन्द्वमा ज्यान गुमाउने उनी दोस्रो नेपाली कामदार हुन्। कुवेतस्थित नेपाली दूतावासले शोक सन्तप्त परिवारलाई अन्तिम संस्कारका लागि शव बुझाउन फिर्ता पठाउने प्रक्रियालाई तीव्रता दिएको थियो। तस्बिरहरू : सुर्याम्स उप्रेती/ नेपाल फोटो लाइब्रेरी

August 2, 2026, Kathmandu, Nepal: The daughter mourns the death of her father, Som Kumar Tamang, 44, after the body of the Nepali migrant worker arrived in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Sunday, August 2, 2026. Tamang, a driver from Tehrathum district working in Kuwait since 2022, was killed in a drone attack in northern Kuwait on July 30 amid heightened regional tensions. He is the second Nepali worker to lose his life in the escalating conflict in West Asia. (Credit Image: © Skanda Gautam/ZUMA Press Wire)

The Chinese Embassy in Kuwait clarified that the worker whose death was announced by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense following the Iranian attack on a Chinese company building was a Nepalese driver employed by a subcontractor. In a press statement, the embassy confirmed that the incident resulted in no injuries or fatalities among Chinese citizens residing in Kuwait, but caused material damage to the company's property. Earlier that day, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense, Colonel Saud Al-Atwan, stated that the Iranian attack targeted a building belonging to a Chinese company in the north of the country, resulting in the death of one worker and causing significant material damage to the building.

أوضحت السفارة الصينية لدى البلاد، أن العامل الذي أعلنت وزارة الدفاع الكويتية وفاته إثر العدوان الإيراني على مبنى إحدى الشركات الصينية، هو سائق نيبالي يعمل لدى مقاول من الباطن. وأكدت السفارة الصينية في تصريح صحافي، أن الحادث لم يسفر عن وقوع أي إصابات أو وفيات بين المواطنين الصينيين الموجودين في الكويت، لكنه تسبب في أضرار مادية بممتلكات الشركة. وكان المتحدث الرسمي لوزارة الدفاع، العقيد الركن سعود العطوان، قد صرّح، صباح اليوم، بأن العدوان الإيراني الآثم استهدف مبنى تابعا لإحدى الشركات الصينية شمال البلاد، أسفر عن وفاة أحد العاملين، وإلحاق أضرار مادية جسيمة بالمبنى.

Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) One worker killed and significant damage reported: Ministry of Defense issues urgent statement regarding attack on Chinese company building. The Ministry of Defense announced that a building belonging to a Chinese company in the north of the country was targeted, resulting in the death of one worker and causing significant material damage to the building. The Ministry added that the relevant authorities took the necessary measures immediately after the incident, emphasizing that the armed forces will continue to perform their duties and take all necessary measures to protect the sovereignty of the nation and the security of citizens and residents.

عاجل الكويت وفاة عامل وأضرار كبيرة.. وزارة الدفاع تصدر بيانًا عاجلًا بشأن استهداف مبنى تابع لشركة صينية. أعلنت وزارة الدفاع أن مبنى تابعًا لإحدى الشركات الصينية شمال البلاد تعرض للاستهداف، ما أسفر عن وفاة أحد العاملين وإلحاق أضرار مادية جسيمة بالمبنى. وأضافت أن الجهات المختصة اتخذت الإجراءات اللازمة فور وقوع الحادث، مؤكدة استمرار القوات المسلحة في أداء مهامها واتخاذ كل ما يلزم لحماية سيادة الوطن وأمن المواطنين والمقيمين.

The Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense reported on Thursday that an Iranian missile targeted a building belonging to a Chinese company in the north of the country, resulting in the death of one worker and causing significant material damage to the building. The Al-Abdali border crossing with Iraq was also attacked by drones, with damage limited to material losses. Meanwhile, the Jordanian army announced this morning that it had intercepted five ballistic missiles launched from Iran, marking the second such announcement in 24 hours.

-أفادت وزارة الدفاع الكويتية، اليوم الخميس، بأن صاروخاً إيرانياً استهدف مبنى تابعاً لإحدى الشركات الصينية شمال البلاد، ما أسفر عن وفاة أحد العاملين وإلحاق أضرار مادية جسيمة بالمبنى. -كما تعرض منفذ "العبدلي" الحدودي مع العراق لهجوم بطائرات مسيّرة، اقتصرت أضراره على المادية. -من جانبه، أعلن الجيش الأردني صباح اليوم اعتراضه لخمسة صواريخ بالستية مصدرها إيران، وهو الإعلان الثاني من نوعه خلال 24 ساعة.

The Chinese Embassy in Kuwait condemned the Iranian attack that targeted a building and project site being carried out by a Chinese company in northern Kuwait on Thursday, July 30, 2026, which resulted in the death of a Nepalese worker and caused material damage, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities. The embassy emphasized that China maintains that any attack targeting innocent civilians or non-military targets should be condemned.

أدانت السفارة الصينية لدى #الكويت الهجوم الإيراني الذي استهدف مبنى وموقع مشروع تنفذه شركة صينية شمال الكويت يوم الخميس 30 يوليو 2026، مما أدى إلى مقتل عامل نيبالي وإلحاق أضرار مادية، داعية إلى وقف فوري للأعمال العدائية. وأكدت ان الجانب الصيني يوضح أن أي اعتداء يستهدف المدنيين الأبرياء أو الأهداف غير العسكرية ينبغي أن يُدان

The Chinese Embassy in Kuwait stated that the information it has regarding the attack targeting a project being carried out by a Chinese company in northern Kuwait, which resulted in the death of a worker, indicates that a vehicle belonging to a Kuwaiti subcontractor working on the project was attacked, killing the driver, a Nepalese national. In a statement issued by its spokesperson, the Chinese Embassy expressed its condolences to the family of the deceased, reiterating that "any attack targeting innocent civilians or non-military targets is condemned." The Chinese Embassy in Kuwait called on "all parties concerned to immediately cease hostilities, resume dialogue, and avoid further escalation of the conflict."

قالت سفارة الصين لدى دولة الكويت إن المعلومات المتوافرة لديها بشأن الهجوم الذي استهدف مشروعا تنفذه شركة صينية في شمال الكويت وأسفر عن وفاة أحد العاملين، تفيد بأن مركبة تابعة لمقاول كويتي من الباطن يعمل في مشروع تنفذه شركة صينية تعرضت لهجوم أسفر عن مقتل سائق يحمل الجنسية النيبالية. وأعربت السفارة الصينية، في بيان صادر عن المتحدث باسمها، عن تعازيها لأسرة الفقيد، مؤكدة مجددا أن "أي اعتداء يستهدف المدنيين الأبرياء أو الأهداف غير العسكرية هو محل إدانة". ودعت السفارة الصينية في الكويت "جميع الأطراف المعنية إلى الوقف الفوري للأعمال العدائية واستئناف الحوار وتجنب المزيد من اتساع رقعة الصراع".

Statement No. (80) The official spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense, Colonel Saud Abdulaziz Al-Atwan, stated: That the heinous Iranian aggression targeted a building belonging to a Chinese company in the north of the country, resulting in the death of one worker and causing significant material damage to the building. He added that the relevant authorities immediately began taking the necessary measures and addressing the situation, in coordination with the concerned parties. The Armed Forces affirm their continued commitment to carrying out their duties and responsibilities with high efficiency and taking all necessary measures to protect the sovereignty of the nation and safeguard its security and stability, in coordination with the relevant authorities, in order to preserve the safety of citizens and residents. #KuwaitiArmy

بيان رقم (80) صرّح المتحدث الرسمي لوزارة الدفاع، العقيد الركن سعود عبدالعزيز العطوان، بأن العدوان الإيراني الآثم استهدف مبنى تابعًا لإحدى الشركات الصينية شمال البلاد، مما أسفر عن وفاة أحد العاملين، وإلحاق أضرار مادية جسيمة بالمبنى. وأضاف أن الجهات المختصة باشرت، فور وقوع الحادث، اتخاذ الإجراءات اللازمة والتعامل مع الموقف، بالتنسيق مع الجهات المعنية. وتؤكد القوات المسلحة استمرارها في تنفيذ مهامها وواجباتها بكفاءة عالية، واتخاذ جميع الإجراءات اللازمة لحماية سيادة الوطن وصون أمنه واستقراره، بالتنسيق مع الجهات المختصة، بما يحفظ سلامة المواطنين والمقيمين. #الجيش_الكويتي