DUBAI: US rapper Cardi B has offered to pay for the funeral and burial costs for the 17 victims, most of whom were Muslim, who lost their lives in the Bronx fire that ripped through a New York city high-rise tower on Jan. 9.
Victims ranged in age from just two years old to 50.
The Grammy-winning rapper teamed up with The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City to offer financial support for victims of the fire in the Bronx, where she grew up, announced New York City Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday.
Most of the victims killed in the fire were from the West African country of Gambia, and families of several of the victims planned to bury them in their homeland. Cardi B has offered to pay the repatriation expenses for the victims who will be buried in Gambia, the mayor’s office reported.
“I’m extremely proud to be from the Bronx and I have lots of family and friends who live and work there still. So, when I heard about the fire and all of the victims, I knew I needed to do something to help,” Cardi B said in a statement to CNN. “I cannot begin to imagine the pain and anguish that the families of the victims are experiencing, but I hope that not having to worry about the costs associated with burying their loved ones will help as they move forward and heal. I send my prayers and condolences to everyone affected by this horrific tragedy,” she added.