Puttingal temple fire tragedy: Modi reaches Kollam, meets CM Oommen Chandy
A massive fire that erupted in Puttingal Temple in Paravur in Kerala's Kollam district on Sunday morning has killed at least 102 people and 200 others are reported to be injured.The fire began at about 3 am next to the temple where people had gathered for a festival and a night of fireworks."
A spark from the crackers being burst fell into the stack of crackers kept in a makeshift compartment at the ground, triggering the fire," said a police official.Kollam Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) K. Laljy informed ANI that the injured were rushed to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College.Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has visited the site of the tragedy to analyse the situation.
PM Narendra Modi has reached Kollam to assess situation and met Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. He was accompanied by burn specialist doctors.
In a series of tweets earlier, PM Modi expressed his shock and grief over the tragedy and announced that he will be visiting the site “to take stock of the situation."“Fire at temple in Kollam is heart-rending & shocking beyond words. My thoughts are with families of the deceased & prayers with the injured,” he said in a tweet.
Rs two lakh each to the next of kin has been promised by the PM as compensation, Rs 50,000 will be given to those injured in the fire.
Meanwhile, a case against temple authorities has reportedly been registered under section 307 and 308 of Indian Penal Code and under Section 4 of Explosives Substances Act.
INS Kabra and INS Kalpeni, carrying medical stores, have been dispatched to Kollam along with INS Sunayna.A Dornier and two Chetaks are also being deployed by the Navy to assist with the rescue efforts.
According to reports, the police had not given permission for fireworks within the temple premises, due to security concerns.Approximately 10,000 to 15,000 people were believed to be inside the temple premises to watch the fireworks.Karnataka has dispatched a 10-member team of doctors, and paramedics are leaving for Kollam with medication. Kerala health minister VS Siva Kumar has commission the team to buy more medication as and when required which the state government will pay for.
Health Minister VS Sivakumar has declared that medical treatment of those injured will be paid for by the government, including those being treated at private hospitals.
Thiruvananthapuram Medical College is currently treating several fire tragedy victims with multiple fractures. The injures are believed to have been sustained during the stampede and when a few concrete blocks collapsed on those trapped inside the temple premises.
First published: 10 April 2016, 12:23 IST
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