President condoles deaths in Wardha Army depot inferno

President Pranab Mukherjee on Wednesday offered his condolences to the families of the defence personnel, who died in the massive fire accident at the central ammunition depot in Pulgaon, Wardha district of Maharashtra and called upon the state government to provide all possible aid to the bereaved families as well as medical assistance to the injured.

"I am sad to know about the massive fire in which some persons have lost their lives and many others are injured. I understand rescue as well as relief operations are currently underway. My thoughts and prayers are with the injured and the families who have lost their near and dear ones," the President said in a message to Maharashtra Governor, C.Vidyasagar Rao.

The death toll has risen from 16 to 19 on Wednesday, which include two officers, four Defence Security Corp (DSC) jawans and 13 fire fighters.

17 injured including two officers, three Army Jawans, four of DSC and eight fire fighters are now stable.

The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, announced a compensation of Rs. 5,00,000 to the next kin of those killed and Rs. 3,00,000 to the injured.

Public Health Minister Dipak Sawant has assured that air ambulance will be made available if the need arises to shift the injured to Mumbai for treatment.

Meanwhile, the fire has been completely doused and situation has been brought under control after an overnight operation, but the officials are still monitoring the accident spot.

The blaze started around 1 A.M on Tuesday. The fire had spread to a number of sheds where ammunitions, bombs and other explosive were kept.

The central ammunition depot at Pulgaon is India's biggest ammunition depot where stocks including bombs, grenades, shells, assorted rifles and other explosives from various factories comes here first and is then distributed to various forward areas.

Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday, expressed grief over loss of lives.

"Deeply pained at loss of lives, they sacrificed their lives and managed to contain fire." Parrikar said.