Indian medical officials and bystanders carry an injured man into an ambulance enroute to a hospital after an explosion and fire at The Puttingal Devi Temple in Paravur
Thiruvananthapuram - Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 200,000 to kin of the victims and Rs 50,000 to the injured.
Published: Sun 10 Apr 2016, 1:37 PM
Updated: Sun 10 Apr 2016, 5:31 PM
The Paravur temple tragedy that rattled the southern Indian state of Kerala early on Sunday morning has come as a huge shock to the entire nation.
Cutting across political lines, leaders of all political parties and prominent personalities from different walks of life expressed condolences over the loss of several lives.
Expressing shock over the incident, President Pranab Mukherjee urged the government and other agencies to provide all the help to bereaved families and medical assistance to the injured.
Vice President M. Hamid Ansari has expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. He wished speedy recovery to the injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the incident is heart-rending and shocking beyond words. "My thoughts are with families of the deceased & prayers with the injured. I will be reaching Kerala soon to take stock of the situation arising due to the unfortunate fire tragedy in Kollam," he tweeted.
The Prime Minister, who is coming with a team of burn specialists, has also announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 200,000 to kin of the victims and Rs 50,000 to the injured. He is expected to announce more relief after discussions with the chief minister and his cabinet colleagues at Quilon.
Federal Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who had a talk with the chief minister on the incident, said that he was extremely pained over the loss of lives.
"The news of major fire at the temple is deeply distressing. I Extremely pained over the loss of lives in the accident. My heartfelt condolences to the families of those who died in Kollam accident and my prayers are with the injured," he tweeted.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah visited the temple and met the injured at the hospitals in Quilon after cancelling all his public programmes related to the poll scheduled in Kerala on Sunday.
Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi also expressed shock and grief over the fire tragedy. "Praying for the departed souls and well being of the injured. I have asked the government to ensure ample and immediate relief measures," Sonia Gandhi said.
Rahul Gandhi said he had spoken to the chief minister and urged him to ensure adequate relief, medical care and assistance to the injured. Rahul will also be visiting the injured at the hospital. He is scheduled to arrive at 4 pm.
While expressing shock over the incident, Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and former chief minister A K Antony sought ruthless action against those responsible.
"I am really shocked. The central government, state government and everyone should work together to engage in massive rehabilitation and relief efforts," Antony added.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said it was very unfortunate that such a grave mishap occurred in a temple. Condoling the deaths, he prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the incident and extended sympathies to the bereaved families.
Leaders of the opposition parties in the state have termed the tragedy a serious lapse on the part of the state government. Communist Party of India (Marxist) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said that the government was solely responsible for the tragedy.
Party politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan demanded a high level investigation into the incident. He suspected some fouls play behind the incident.
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