Kerala Temple Fire: PM Modi assures all possible assistance to state govt
10 April, Thiruvanathapuram
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday visited the Puttingal Devi Temple near Kollam in Kerala and took stock of the situation arising out of fire tragedy.
More than 106 people were killed and over 380 injured in the fire that engulfed the temple during a display of fireworks late last night.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and State Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala took the Prime Minister around the temple precincts and briefed him about the incident.
Modi later visited the Kollam District hospital to see the injured people.
Talking to media persons, Modi described the fire tragedy as unimaginable and very painful.
He said, this is an hour of crisis and Central Government is ready to extend all help to Kerala Government and the people of the State.
Modi said, he told Chief Minister that if he wants any injured people to be taken to Mumbai or Delhi for specialized treatment, the Central Government will immediately make arrangements for the same.
Meanwhile, Union Health Ministry has rushed a team of 25 doctors and para-medics drawn from AIIMS, Safdarjung and Ram Manohar Lohia hospitals to assist in relief work in Kollam.
Some of the specialists had gone with the Prime Ministers while others headed for the site with necessary medicines.
Earlier, Modi announced a compensation of Rs. two lakh each for the next kin of those killed and Rs. 50,000 for those injured from Prime Minister’s relief fund.
Kerala Chief Minister has also announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 10 lakh each to the kin of those killed and two lakh rupees each for those seriously injured.
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi also visited the site. He was accompanied by senior Congress leader AK Anthony and Chennithala.
Kerala government has ordered a judicial inquiry by a retired High Court Judge along with an investigation by Crime Branch of the State Police.
At least 60 bodies have been identified. Police have registered a case for allegedly storing fire crackers ten times more than what was permitted.
The Kerala Chief Minister said that post mortem will be held as early as possible and bodies will be handed over to the relatives at the earliest.
At the behest of Prime Minister, Defence forces deployed aircraft and Naval Platforms with medical teams to help in rescue operations.
Indian Air Force deployed 10 transport aircraft and helicopters to ferry victims to nearby hospitals.
Indian Navy deputed three naval ships INS Kabra, Kalpeni and INS Sukanya with medical stores to Kollam coast to give medical assistance to the injured.
It has also deployed one Dornier and 2 ALH with medical teams from the Southern Naval Command.