90 people charred to death in temple fire in Kerala

Over 90 people were charred to death in a fire accident at Puttingal temple during a festival at Paravur in Kollam district of Kerala early this morning. A Home Ministry spokesperson said, 350 people have been injured and admitted to various hospitals. The spokesman said the fire broke out due to the explosion of crackers at the temple. The fire has now been brought under control, and a thorough probe has been ordered into the incident. State police, disaster management teams and fire brigade are on the spot for rescue and relief operations. The National Disaster Response Force is being sent to Kerala to assist the local administration. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief on the incident. In a tweet, Mr Modi said, he will be reaching Kerala soon to take stock of the situation. He said, he spoke to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy about the accident and asked him to arrange immediate shifting of those critically injured via helicopter. The Prime Minister has announced two lakh rupees each as compensation to the next of the kin of the dead, and 50,000 rupees each to those injured. Mr Chandy, who is also rushing to the accident spot, said the situation was unprecedented and alarming. He said, the focus is to provide best treatment to the injured. The Chief Minister said, the State Chief Secretary has been asked to write a letter to the Election Commission for necessary sanction to exclude the treatment facilities to the injured from the ambit of the Election Code of Conduct. The district administration has set up a control room number. The number is 0474-251-2344 (Repeat 0474-251-2344).